LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



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A COMPENDIUM 



OF 



EDENBURG 






AND 



EDENBURG PEOPLE. 



WRITTEN BY 



MISS ETETTIE A. KEATLEY 




1887. 

CLARION JACKSONIAN PRINT. 

CLARION. PA. 



5> 



Copyrighted, 1887, 

By Miss Hettie A. Keatlet, 

Edenburg, Pa. 



DEDICATOEV. 
Thislittle volume is dedicated by the Authoress to the Burgess and 
Council of Edenburg, as a token of respect to the present officers, their an- 
tecedents and successors. H. A. K. 



PREFACE. 
In this volume, we offer to the citizens of Edenburg and vicinity, either 
past, present, or future a brief review of events, and the names of men, 
women and children, who have composed society and business circles, 
since the place was first settled by the proprietors. This work has been 
intended for years. To keep in remembrance the names of every family 
who has ever lived in this place, was no easy task, and should any be 
omitted it is because their names are not in the papers which have been 
published in the town, or that memory has failed to recall them. Our town, 
which was once asmall'city, has a greater historic record than any in the 
State, in the same length of time It has been, as it were, Tried by Fire ! 
The heroism of our citizens has been a marvel to all outside of the town. 
These terrible conflicts, seem to be a bond of union to those who endured 
the scourge. The benevolence of her citizens in church work and other 
enterprises is an interesting: subject to Edenburgers wherever they may 
be, and this little volume will serve in a measure to preserve from oblivion 
the noble acts of heroism and benevolence of her citizens. With the purest 
motives, ami kindest feelings we send it out with Greetings. 

Edenburg, Clarion Co.. Pa., May 10, 1887. H. A. K. 



Edenburg and Edenburg People. 



THE ADVENTURER. 

''Stand up erect ! Thou hast a form, 
And likeness of thy God — who more? 
A soul as dauntless mid the storm 
Of daily life— a heart as warm 
And pure as breast e'er wore.'" 

Years ago, in country places, the owner of a farm of 
one hundred acres of land was called rich. The won- 
derful appreciation of the value of real estate, the extra- 
ordinary luck of speculators, has entirely revolutionized 
the opinion of a fortune, and now, a man who possesses 
a million is barely called rich. Thus young men are de- 
terred from attempting adventure, or, if they attempt, arc- 
soon discouraged and the project abandoned for some- 
thing more easily accomplished. The history of any 
town, or country, is a delineation of the character of the 
leading men and women it it, and of ks status, religious- 
ly, morally and intellectually, in connection with its 
business interests. The town of Edenburg, situated in 
Beaver township, Clarion county, Pennsylvania, has 
had a greater diversity of experience, within a short pe- 
riod of time, than any other in the State. To understand 
its history correctly, it first becomes necessary to give a 
sketch of its leading men before it became a borough. 



(> COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

Mr. J. (». Mendenhall, the principal proprietor of 
this live oil town, was a Quaker by birth, and always 
used the plain language in his family. He was born in 
Bald Eagle Valley, Centre county, Pa., on the 14th day 
of May, 1806. His ancestors came from England in 
the ship with William Penn, and settled in Chester 
county, Pa. From these all the Mendenhalls in the 
United States have sprung-. 

"Hate not husbandry, which God hath ordained.'* — Son of Sirach. 

Mrs. Siffourney in her lovely strain has written : 

'When the Creator's hand had placed 

In this terrestial scene, 
Man, in His own high image formed, 

"Majestic and Serene, 
Bade He this ruler of the globe, 

To mountain summits soar? 
Or for the wealth of gold and gems 

It secret mines explore? 

Or blow the rocks to atoms? 

Or boil the floods to steam ? 
Or with harpoon andjiookitranstix 

The people of the stream? 
Or bring with forge and hammer 

Enormous shapes to light]? 
Or study till the mid-night toil 

Enwrapped the brain in night? 

No, 'twas the Arbiter's command, 

'Mid that delightful glade, 
To "dress and keep the garden" where 

His Eden home was made 
And where no more his alien head 

In Paradise might rest, 
To till the earth from whence he came 

Was still his Siu-'s behest. 

Mr. Mendenhall was one of nature's husbandmen. 

When this part of Clarion county (then Armstrong) was 
a wilderness, he wandered hither in search of a location, 
to make a home for himself and young wile, whom 
he had shortly before married, nee Miss Susan Spencer 



AND EDEKBUEG PEOPLE. 7 

of Half Moon, Pa. After making a trip from his home 

mostly on foot, he came to what is now Clarion county 
in the year A. D. 1830, and purchased what is known 
as the Daniel Kiser farm, where Elk City stands. He 
purchased the farm for $700. He returned to Centre 
comity and brought his wife and household effects, and 
settled in a small house in which the former owner, Mr. 
Dale had lived. The house was small, but large enough 
for two. One of the first things which he did was to 
plant a Lombardy poplar in front of his door, which 
grew to be a majestic tree and a reminder of his first 
home, until the vandal oil man destroyed it. Frugality 
and industry crowned his efforts, and in six years after 
he purchased this farm, on account of its mineral value 
in ore, he sold it to the firm of Black & Co., who had a 
large furnace near, for the sum of $5,000. He then 
purchased a wooded tract of 20 acres, the present site of 
Edenburg. After this he made two other purchases, 
which made him a farm of 188 acres. After clearing 
his first purchase, he built him another home, and al- 
though in a measure in the wilderness, he built large 
enough to be able to accommodate strangers, and many 
were entertained by his hospitality. He purchased two 
other farms in the vicinity. One he called Jerusalem and 
the other Egypt. These were both good oil fields in 
late developments. Mr. Mendenhall was a remarkably 
social man, had much pleasure with his friends and 
neighbors. He had one especial trait of character, that 
of being very fond of pets. His large barn was al- 
ways filled with choicest stock and poultry. At one 
time he had a "Deer Park." With these animals he 
was on very friendly terms, but one incident shows the 



X COMPENDIUM <>F EDENBURG 

sagacity ofthedeer. After donning a new suit of clothes 
he wandered into the park one day. An "old buck" 
not recognizing the new clothes, made light, and it was 
a very narrow escape that his life was spared. He 
changed his new suit for the old one and went again to 
the Park, and the same old animal came to him and 
fawned upon him as usual. Farms were being improved 
all around him. In 1834 he with his few neighbors, 
felt the need of a postoffice, there not being one nearer 
than Shippenville. Consequently application was made 
to the P. O. Department, and the request was granted. 
Mr. Mendenhall was requested to name it, and he 
called it Eden, and was appointed postmaster. After 
some time the office was discontinued. When it was 
again restored, there was another "Eden" in the State 
and they called it Knox, and he was again appointed 
postmaster, which he continued to he (with P. F. Kribbs 
a< his assistant) until January 19th, 1<S 74, when he re- 
signed in favor of J. T. Crawford. Up to this time and 
afterward, the mails were carried from Emlenton to 
Shippenville on horseback. J. T. Crawford continued 
through the most exciting "oil times." When he took 
what he had saved from the very remunerative position 
at that time, he accepted Horace Greeley's advice and 
went west. He and his interesting family are now 
among the enterprising citizens of Nebraska. The suc- 
cessorof J. T. Crawford, was J. Wilbur Orr, a genial, 
social man, who with his accomplished assistant, Miss 
Mary Flick, were very acceptable officers, but, a< fre- 
quently happens, "Cupid with his dart," crept into the 
office, and soon the postmaster and assistant united their 
interest- for life. Soon after lie resigned in favor of 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. I) 

Peter Spargo, and removed to Akron, Ohio, where he is 
in a flourishing business now. Mr. Spargo, a very clever 
man and an acceptable officer, held the position until his 
demise on the 18th of March, 1885. After Ids sudden 
death Mr. E. E. Kribbs kept it by special appointment 
by the P. (). Department for one month. The admin- 
istration having been changed, Mr. W. B. Delo received 
the appointment, who with his amiable assistant, Miss 
Mary Austin are the present incumbents. It is still a 
salaried office. 

Mr. Mendenhall was not only a farmer but a mer- 
chant. Fie had a dry goods and grocery store at one time. 
J. W. Coulter, with J. B. Patrick for clerk, succeeded 
him. Richard Shippen, with J. T. Wilson for clerk, suc- 
ceeded Mr. Coulter. Prosperity attended all Mr. Men- 
denhalPs business efforts, but alas ! a shadow fell upon 
his pleasant home. The wife of his youth sickened and 
died, leaving him with one living child, J. 8. Menden- 
hall, who when about eighteen years old, went to Cali- 
fornia, where he spent most of his early life. Mr. J. 
G. Mendenhall, at the loss of his life partner, although 
cast down, was constrained to say "My Father, the 
hand is Thine, who doeth all things well." He after- 
ward married Miss Eliza Sloan a very amiable lady, by 
whom he had four children, viz : M. Ariminta, now 
Mrs. Travis, now residing in Edenburg. Griffith S. 
who still resides at his home. 8. Louie, now Mrs. 
Henry Kelly, ofCoeur d'Alene, Idaho Territory, and 
Ella Genira, now Mrs. W. L. Jeffords, now living on 
the old homestead grounds. When the youngest of these 
children was ten years old, he was again bereft of his 



10 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

companion. On the 2^)th of November, 1871, he was 
married to Miss Jane B. Rentier, of St rattan vi lie, Pa., 
who was left a widow at his death, and who still resides 
in her home in Edenburg. 

The next merchant who came to the little town of 
Edenburg, was P. F. Kribbs, and he came to stay. For 
several years he alone furnished drv goods and efrocer- 
ies, to the inhabitants of the surrounding country. Mr. 
Kribbs is one of those busy men, who earns what he 
has by the sweat of his brow or the activity of his brain. 
He and his excellent wife and children were always 
busy. Benton and Ellery, when quite small boys, would 
rise at four o'clock, A. M., and wend their way with 
their load of provisions, etc., to the nearest railroad sta- 
tion and return in good time in the evening with their 
loads of merchandise. From this course of trading, 
with lumber interests and oil production, P. F. Kribbs 
now stands among the leading business men of the coun- 
try. Two large brick blocks with the sign, "P. F. 
Kribbs & Son," and a beautiful brick residence, second 
to none in the town are among the evidences of the fact. 
It is often remarked that "man is the architect of his 
own fortune," but observation in the past has led us to 
conclude, "That the frugal hand of woman often lends 
her charms." So we think to Mrs. Kribbs much is due 
for Mr. Kribbs' prosperity. 

"The trusting wife and mother, 
Makes indeed a pleasant house, 
There's naught too good to handle there, 
The fond mother does her best to reuse, 
Ambition in a sweet and loving fear.'' 

Every house is a home where love and harmony 
dwell. 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 11 

Mr. P. F. Kribbs is a son of the late (apt. George 
Kribbs, who was one of the pioneer settlers and a prom- 
inent citizen, and whose farm was very prolific in yield- 
ing the oleaginous fluid in early oil developments. Mrs. 
Kribbs is a daughter of Daniel Knight and a sister of 
Dr. Knight, of Salem. Mr. and Mrs. Kribbs have had 
eight living children, viz : Benton A., a worthy young 
man now a partner with his father; E.Elmer, a law 
student at Ann Arbor, Mich ; William, a theological 
student at the Lutheran Theological Seminary, at Get- 
tysburg, Pa. ; Charles, a student in Edinboro State Nor- 
mal ; Florence, now Mrs. G. A. Karns, of Franklin, 
Pa ; Susie and Mabel, Misses at home. Georgie, the 
pet of the household was taken from the family group 
one year ago. Although his place in the household is 
vacant, he lives in memory as no other can. 

"No longer fettered by the power 

Of flesh and pain — his prison bars — 

With joy must hail the golden hour. 
That speeds his flight above the stars." 

In the spring of 1874 Mr. Mendenhall razed the 
old homestead and built on the same site a fine resi- 
dence, which when completed presented a fine appear- 
ance outwardly and was handsomely frescoed through- 
out, and stood where the Clarion County Bank now 
stands. His home was surrounded by a variety of love- 
ly shade trees of the choicest kind of his own planting, 
and adorned by the exotic and lovely flowers planted 
and cultured by his wife and daughters. His was a love- 
ly and loving home. When strangers and friends visit- 
ed their home, they were invariably charmed by the 
easy grace which pervaded the household. His three 
daughters and son formed a quartette and could render 



12 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBTJRG 

very fine music. One of his early pioneer neighbors 
was Thomas Thompson. His farm was on the southside 
of the Emlenton and Shippenville road. Mr. Thomp- 
son's only son William went to the army and died in 
June 1865. Mrs. Thomas Thompson the aged mother 
of William Thompson still lives with her daughter, Mr>. 
J. I Best, at the advanced age of i»4 years. Mr. J. I. 
Best was a genial, social man, who purchased the Thomp- 
son homestead. The year following Mr. Mendenhall, 
Mr. Best also erected a handsome residence, but, unlike 
his friend Mendenhall, he let "the old house stand" as 
a relic of the past. It still stands with the creeping 
ivy and trellised vines climbing up its walls. Like an 
aged veteran it combines the past with the present. J. 
I. Best, a quiet unobtrusive man, ever ready to help in 
every good work was very liberal with his means. 
When oil production developed so rapidly he granted 
many leases and had large production. His family 
grew up around him, bright, cheerful and pleasant. An 
excellent wife and mother is Mrs. Best. But no circum- 
stances in life can prevent the "fell destroyer," death, 
from making his visits. Year after year he came and 
pluck '1 from the h uisehold the little buds of promise, 
until four had been taken. "No flower so sweet as the 
larlv bud, when the crvstal die. 1 ]) of morn gives it fresh 
perfume." So it seems death oftener plucks the morn- 
ing flowers. 

His eldest son, Willie, a very promising young 
man, died February 2d, 1880. [t is ever thus with us 
here. 

"When the tide of bliss is highest, 
When we closest clasp the toy. 

Then the heart feels grief is nighest. 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 13 

Trembling, looking- on our joy; 
Soon the sky shall be o'ercasf, 

And voices ringing gladly. 

And the pulses leaping madly, 
To death's stillness shall have passed.,' 

So it was, when everything was at high tide in 
business circles, Willie was called to go, his disease be- 
ing a complication of rheumatism and heart trouble. 

Mr. Best, who was at the time of Willie's death 
suffering from lung trouble, lingered until the following 
autumn, when on November 10th, 1880, he too passed 
peacefully over the "river from which no oarsman can 
make a return passage." He was greatly missed from 
the family circle, by the citizens of the town, and very 
much from the M. E. Church of which he was an offi- 
cial and liberal member. 

"Swift the seasons come and go: 
Thickly falls the drifting snow 
O'er his peaceful grave we know. 

But his feet 
Have passed in at a pearly door. 
And have trcd the shining golden floor, 
Fair and fadeless forever more." 

Mr. Best had seen Edenburg spring into existence 
as a town, as by magic, and seen it once almost reduced 
to allies, a number of times very much marred by 
the devouring flames, and as often rebuilt. His aged 
father had his home with him and still resides in the 
home of Mrs. Best. "Grandfather Best" as he is famil- 
iarly called, is perhaps the oldest man in the neighbor- 
hood, being at present eighty-four years old, hale and 
hearty. When Mr. Best realized the inevitable, like a 
wise man, "he set his house in order," arranged his busi- 
ness and left it in the hands of his son-in-law, Mr. G. 
M. Cushing, to carry out his plans. 



14 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

Mrs. Best is not in the best of health at present. 
Frankie, their eldest, now Mrs. Cushing, Miss Louie, 
Mr. Harry, Misses. Jennie and Sadie compose the family 
who remain at home. Mrs. Cnshing whose health is 
impaired has made several trips to the South for her 
health and has found them beneficial. 

The Mendenhall farm is bounded on the west by 
the farms of Jacob and John Switzer. Jacob's sons, 
Samuel and Jerry, now occupy the Jacob Switzer home- 
stead. They are frugal, industrious and wealthy farm- 
ers. Mr. John Switzer (now deceased) was an excellent 
citizen, an energetic kind neighbor and a time friend. 
His amiable wife and several of his children survive 
him. His son, Milton Switzer, resides on the farm. 
The Switzer farm- have yielded mil 'h oil and have some 
producing wells at present. The Mendenhall farm is 
bounded on the north by Jacob Switzer, Jr's. farm, which 
has been a fine producing farm and is still yielding some 
oil. In 1876, Mr. Switzer sol! :!ii< farm to the Van 
Vie -k Brothers, who operated upon it for several years. 
The western par: of this farm has been recently pur- 
chased by Mr. D. O. White, who has erected a hand- 
some residence upon it, where he an 1 his ace unplished 
wife receive their friends with graceful hospitality. Mr. 
S. X. McClelland, who pnrchasei theeasfcern part ofthe 
farm i- improving it rapidly, although i + had been tra- 
versed by oil teams until it was cut up by roa 1- in every 
direction; but by his energy and skill he is making it 
"blossom as the rose," and yield fair crops of the differ- 
ent kinds of grain. Mr. McClellan is proverbial for his 
great altitude and for having a kind, sympatheti i dispo- 
sition. Their home is a pleasant oae. On the eastern 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 15 

point of the Switzer farm, (now McClellan) and a small 
portion of the Joseph Gates farm, known since 187.') as 
the Marcus Hilling's farm, is the suburban town of For- 
est Home and the Antwerp Pipe Line Station. To de- 
scribe this little "villa" nestled among- the trees, would 
require the easel and brush of a painter to give it the 
proper effect. It was, to say the least, a lovely, cool re- 
treat, yet not exactly an Eden proper. Its low, flat lo- 
cation on the bank of Canoe Creek, in the rainy season, 
caused the atmosphere to be impregnated with miasma. 
Sickness followed and death visited many households. 
There Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Delp lost their only son, 
W. Ridge, a bright boy who was accidentally thrown 
from a step ladder, when a blood vessel burst, and no ef- 
fort could stay the life current until death claimed him. 
The parents hold his memory in fond and affectionate 
remembrance and can say with the poet : 

"Yes, thou art gone, forever gone! 

Our hearts are tilled with grief and pain, 
For though thou art at rest, dear one, 

We ne'er can see thee here again !" 

The angel of death visited many other homes there. 
Mr. and Mrs. Delp are now residents of Edenburg, have 
a fine home on Main street and a fine shop where he 
earns much money. His home is proverbial for having 
the only flag pavement in town. Their daughter, now 
Mrs. C. L. Lay, also lives in Edenburg in a nice new 
residence on State street. To speak of Forest Home 
socially, would require the pen of a George Eliot. It 
bore about the same relation to Edenburg proper, that 
Hesse Darmstadt does to all Germany. A small duke- 
dom, as it were. It had its independent school, and its in- 
dependent church services much of the time, while they 



l(j COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

still held their church relations in town. They had 
their Sunday school, their literary societies, their croquet 
lawns, their festivals and parties, by day-light, moon- 
light or gas-light a^ it suited them. It contained about 
thirty dwellings. It was to say the least a pleasant re- 
treat, almost a "Utopia." If any one of the inhabi- 
tants did any wrong it was always done in Edenburg. 
Bradley & Co., had a large supply store, planing mill, 
tank shop and blacksmith shop. J. W. Cowan vended 
groceries, etc.; J. (t. Tate kept the Forest Horn: 1 House : 
A. Culbertson had a meat market. There was Forest 
Home Hall, built for the citizens and vicinity by pri- 
vate contributions. The citizens always spoke of their 
Hall with pride, and justly, as it was really useful as 
well as ornamental, and was used only for moral, edu- 
cational or religious purposes. The building was 24x4Q 
feet, with corresponding height, ceiled, papered, painted, 
wainscoted and handsomely seated, and was, withal, 
the best of its kind in the country. J. M. Bethune who 
had oil wells, Prof. Davis, Prof. Beers and Miss Ella 
Culbertson, attended to the educational interests. Jas. 
Benn and family, the Simons Brothers, the Sloans, 
Walker's, Craig's, McCormick's, Best's, Help's, Pryor's, 
Sweet's, Breckenridge's, Harley's and Ervin's of Cha- 
tauqua circle fame. There Mr. William Buzza with his 
sons R. W. Buzza and Richard. Rev. Richard Buzza, 
of the Erie conference, first learned to speak in public in 
the literary societies of Forest Home. This "villa" in 
the forest was the home of Maj. J. B. Maitland, mana- 
ger of the Antwerp Pipe Line, if any measure was 
proposed, there was one umpire who could decide it. 
The Major's "ipse <li.rif" settled all questions great or 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 17 

small. Had he been an autocrat his opinions could not 

have been more sought by the Forest Home people, but 
this came out of respect and not a slavish fear. The Major 
being a man of good judgment, who ever maintained a cool 
deliberate bearing, and who seldom gave advice until 
the subject was well weighed in his own mind, was a 
safe person from whom to receive advice. He and his 
family were greatly missed when they removed to their 
country home in Rockland, Pa.. The early inhabitants 
of Forest Home have mostly removed to some other 
place, except J. G. Tate, who was first to come and last 
to leave. 

Mongtown, another suburb, on the Mahlon Mong 
farm and partly on the Switzer, was quite a live town at 
one time, although never so independent as Forest Home. 
It had its school and hotels. The first citizen that came 
into this new town was Mr. J. D. Kelley. He with his 
amiable wife and little family located there in the spring 
of 1873, and with the exception of a short time he resided 
in Clarion, it has been his home for thirteen years. His 
family has grown up. Miss Ada is a very well quali- 
fied teacher in one of the rooms in McKeesport Union 
School. Miss Alice and the younger ones are at home. 
Mr. Kelley was with Mr. J. C. Hill on Mr. J. Turner's 
survey from St. Petersburg to Fryburg. This brought 
the surveyors past the Bower farm. Mr. Walter M. 
Lowry having taken a large lease on the Frederick 
Rower farm was not able to hold it, unless he operated 
upon it very soon. Xot having capital enough to do 
this, he solicited Mr. J. Turner and Captain Duncan to 
operate on this tract, consequently they commenced to 
drill on the St. Lawrence, the first well on the lease, 



18 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

April 21st, cased and tubed May 21st and had in the 
line-, June 21st, an average of 72 barrels per day. This 
has been one of the most substantial wells in the field. 
Tt is still producing some oil. The company was known 
as Turner, Duncan & Lowry. The Baliet No. 1, was 
tubed on September Kith of the same year. Turner & 
Duncan purchased Lowry 's interest and the firm was 
then known a< Turner cv Duncan. They drilled Baliet 
No. 2, St. Lawrence Xo. 2, Conestoga No's. 1 and 2, 
Lady Bower, Detroit, Mississippi and Wabash, all fine 
wells. These wells Mr. Kelley eventually purchased, 
but recently sold them to Mr. Charles Shaver. Mr. J. 
C. Hill came at the same time that Mr. Kelley did. His 
family were very active and useful citizens. Mrs. Hill 
always has friends wherever sir,' lives. The young ladies 
were teachers. Mr. Hill is known as the oldest mem- 
ber of the church to which he belongs. He drilled and 
operated on the Turner wells for several years, then pur- 
chased some wells which are still producing. Mr Hill 
recently lives on Main street, Edenburg. About the 
same time the St. Lawrence well was drilled, Mr. Chas. 
Shaw drilled on the Mahlon Mono- farm and was suc- 
cessful. Mr. Shaw brought his pleasant wife and little 
family who were very highly esteemed. The McCall 
Brothers soon came with their aged mother, who is still 
a resident of Edenburg. All the parties came from 
Freeport, Pa., Mr. Turner's home. Mr. Frank Clif- 
ford also drilled on the same farm. He had a pleasant 
lx»me on his lease, but is now living in Jamestown, X. 
Y. Mr. I. M. Temple, now of Beloit, Kansas, kepi 
the Mongtown House. Mr. and Mrs. Temple with 
their interestine daughters were verv fine citizens. Mr. 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 19 

Charles Jefferson, who removed to Florida and planted 
an orange grove, and whose wife and children are now 
enjoying the fruit of his enterprise, formerly lived in 
Mon^town. W. W. Wingard now of Warren, Pa., had 
a beautiful home, the former home of Mahlon Mong. S. 

E. Kinch one of the operators on the Turner lease with 
his excellent wife resided there. They now reside in 
O'Neil, Nebraska. J. Wilbur Orr now of Akron, O., 
Sylvester Benn now of Lima, ()., John Vogen of New 
Castle, Pa., A. L. Bunnell, now of Bradford, Pa., J. 
Tom linson, of Beaver, Pa., James Maguire, (who still 
resides near there on a farm) were prominent citizens. 

F. T. Whitehill who has resided there over ten years, is 
manager on the Oak Shade leases. He and Mrs. 
Whitehill take great comfort in their pleasant home. 
Still living there, are Melvin Cox, L. and R. Colling- 
wood, Henry Gates and family, J. Babcoek, M. P. 
Lewis and Thomas Stover. Mr. Albert Culbertson, 
who purchased the W. W. Wingard property and resides 
on it, has planted a vineyard which yields abundantly 
every year. In connection with his line variety of grapes 
he cultivates the strawberry, raspberry and Lawton 
blackberry. He treats his man}' friends in the berry 
season to the choicest of his fruits, with such a cheerful 
jest that it makes the fruit taste more luscious than it 
otherwise would. Miss Lizzie Culbertson has been one 
of the most faithful workers iu the church to which she 
belongs. She and Mrs. Culbertson are great florists. 

The Mendenhall farm is bounded on the east by 
the Hidings and Whitehill farms. Both have been very 
productive oil farms. James Whitehill, the original 
owner of the farm died and left the farm to his son Sam- 



20 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

uel. Mr. Samuel Whitehill had a large family of sons, 
viz: George Washington, Wmfield Scott, Zachary 
Taylor, John Preston, Millard Fillmore, Benjamin 
Franklin, Marian M., Joseph, Charles and Alice. Three 
of this family and the father and mother have died. 
Marian M., is now the wife of Ross Yinsrling;, who is 
a Professor in the State Normal at Clarion, Pa. At the 
time of the greatest oil developments in this part of the 
field, Mr. Whitehill sold his farm to an oil company for 
$30,000. He purchased another firm in the vicinity 
where he resided until his death. Among the first op- 
erators on the Whitehill firm, were B. J. Painter A: 
Brother. They had a large production. Mr. B. J. 
Painter built him a nice home on the lease where he re- 
resided until recently, when he sold his interests and re- 
moved to Emlenton, Pa. Mr. Painter was one of the 
leading voung men of the early period. Mr. George 
Gyer and intelligent wife and interesting family are still 
producing oil on their lease on the farm. They have a 
pleasant home where happiness dwells with but little 
alloy. John P. Whitehill still resides on the farm and 
has good oil production, also Zachary and his interesting 
little family. 

Shady City, another suburban town of Edenburg, 
is on the western border of the Whitehill farm and east- 
ern boundary of Edenburg. It was in this cool retreat 
that J. J. Bradley one of the prominent early oil opera- 
tors built him a home. J. J. Bradley and wife were of 
the excellent of the earth. Plain, open-hearted, oener- 
ous people, upon whom any one could rely. Me had 
large productions on different farms. Thinking to in- 
crease his income, he went to the Bradford oil field. 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. *2\ 

When he went there he said to Mrs. Bradley, "when 
we can command a certain amount, (which he named) 
we will purchase a farm and settle for life." He real- 
ized his anticipations and purchased a beautiful farm ad- 
joining Hartstown, Pa. His home was in the village. 
He remained there until a better situation presented itself 
when he sold and again invested in real estate, and now 
is a granger, owning a beautiful farm and home near 
Atlantic, Crawford county, Pa. In this shady nook still 
live Ellis Hall and family. Through the Whitehill 
farm flows Canoe creek on whose banks are located a 
saw mill and the Antwerp Pipe Line Station. It was 
in this stream that Maj. Henry Wetter almost lost his 
life. There was a rise in the stream and he attempted 
to cross. The bridge gave way and let both horse and 
rider into the turbulent stream. It was with difficulty 
that he reached the shore. The only seat of learning 
for Edenburg and vicinity ten years ago was Shady City 
school house, on the Whitehill farm. In this shady 
nook lived the Redingers, now of Cleveland, O. The 
McEntyre's now of the upper oil field. The Lincoln's 
now of Edenburg. Mr. Roland Patton lived there for 
several years. Mrs. Patton, an excellent, good, woman, 
with her daughter, kept a large boarding house for the 
employes on the Whitehill farm. Afterward they lived 
in Edenburo:, where Mrs. Patton died very suddenly 
and was very much missed, especially among the sick. 
Mr. Laverty and family who lived in Shady City, are 
now living in Titusville, Crawford count v. They are 
noted for their fine ability as vocalists. Mr. Laverty, 
Jennie, Mossy and Beekie are holding concerts in and 
around Titusville, where they draw good houses. Mr. 



22 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

John Sheldon, Mr. and Mrs. Springer, Mr. and Mrs. 
Taylor (who had a grocery store.) 

On the southeast, lies the Alexander McElhattan 
farm, which was also very productive in oil. Mr, Mc- 
Elhattan like his neighbors, has abandoned the old house 

tor the new. A fine new dwelling adorns the place. On 
this farm is the McElhattan cemetery, where many 
straneers have been laid. Mr. McElhattan and family 
live at ease on the revenue from their oil wells. 

On the south of Edenburg lies the Columbia Com- 
pany's farm, formerly the Henry Kiser farm, on which 
was the pioneer well of the Edenburg oil field. In Feb- 
ruary, of 1 S7">, Halm & Co., struck oil on the farm. 
The well was not very large but it demonstrated the fact 
that there was oil in this locality and that Edenburg was 
on the belt. This farm afterward proved to be a pool of 
oil. On it and the Best farm atone time lived the Bever- 
ley's, Dawson's, Moore Brothers, Barton's, Mr. Lot C. 
Leech and his interesting family, now of Petrolia, Mr. 
and Mrs. Crick, and interesting little son, now of Pitts- 
burgh, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Carroll, and their in- 
telligent sons and daughters, who now reside on a farm 
near Titusville, excepting Miss Mary, who spends most 
of her time in Edenburg. On this farm lived Rev. Mr. 
Hendren with his accomplished wife and daughter. The 
shadow of death found its way to this little community. 
Mr. and Mrs. Eichbaum lost two very interesting chil- 
dren. There young Mr. Proudfoot died of diphtheria at 
the home of his brother. Here lived Mr. and Mrs. B. 
Drum and two lovely children, Ada May and Rodie V. 
These dear children were taken from a loving mother 



AND EDEN BURG PEOPLE. 23 

and a fond father. Death came and robbed the house- 
hold. 

"Oh! how the loveliest of earth's children pass, 
In silence from our midst ! The opening year 

Smiles on their freshening beauty, but the grass. 
In Autumn hides their graves, and many a sore 

And blighted heart, that used to mark with pride 
Their budding beauty, keeps the mournful tale 

Still fresh and sacred, how the dear ones died." 

Death is a sad word ! There is a desolation in 
the home circle, an aching void in the heart, which no 
earthly pleasure can allay, until the heart grows strong 
enough to realize that those for whom we mourn are in- 
finitely more happy — until we can see the kind hand of 
the Great Giver in it. It was so with these fond par- 
ents. In addition to the above, the Doughertys, the 
Kelleys and the Mays lived in this community. Mr. 
W. S. Mays and family came early. We have record of 
the death of Mrs. Mays as given in the local paper, which 
also gives a sketch of the family : 

"Clara A., wife of W. S. Mays, died at her home on Petrolia streef , 
this place, Thursday evening, Line 25th, 1885, at half-past nine o'clock. 
The deceased was the third daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Varner, who 
at the time of her birth resided in the town of Clarion, and being the first 
child born in the county seat, was named Clarion, which for convenience 
was afterward changed to Clara. Mrs. Mays, who had been an extreme 
sufferer for several months, bore it all with Christian fortitude. There's a 
vacancy in the home circle that can not be rilled. A husband, four daugh- 
ters and two sons in sadness. Rev. J. H. Keeley preached her funeral ser- 
mon the following Sabbath, in the presence of a large concourse of rela- 
tives and fsiends. 

Life's labor done, as sinks the day, 
Light from their load the spirits fly, 
While heaven and earth combine to say, 
How blest the righteous when they die !" 

On the south-west of Edenburg lies Beaver City. 
Like Jonah's gourd, it sprung up, as it were, in a day and 
withered as suddenly, when the oil production dimin- 
ished. The Beaver and Mehrtena tracts were very pro- 



*24 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

ductive. It was on that part of the belt that Major 
Wetter had such a large number of wells, at one time 
numbering 90. The Major was a magnanimous direc- 
tor. He never failed to remember his friends. The 
large amount of business which he was carrying was 
disastrous to himself and others, who were depending 
upon his success. He was a clever, generous man and 
had been a valiant soldier. He was appointed by the 
Government as Secretary of New Mexico, and, upon the 
death of the Governor, became Governor pro tern. He 
died in 1883, and left a most estimable wife with four 
little daughters- and their only son, Harry, Jr. Beaver 
City was located on the Capt. Kribbs and the Beals 
farms. The former owned now by P. F. Kribbs and 
the latter by J. L. Hunter. In Beaver City, with Captain 
Kribbs as one of the principal contributors, the Luther- 
an denomination built a beautiful church. In size, finish 
and construction, it would have adorned a city. In ac- 
tive oil times the church was a necessity. Many pleas- 
ing remembrances cluster within its sacred walls ; but, 
as in everv church, "Memento Mori" is written in legi- 
ble characters, on account of the vacant places of some of 
its members. Two of the principal contributors, (apt. 
George Kribbs and Mrs. Clara Hunter have passed over 
the river, but their deeds should be cherished. Stran- 
gers now occupy the Capt. Kribbs homestead. 1 1 is 
amiable partner in life's struggles, now resides with her 
daughter and son-in-law, Rev. and Mrs. Fox of Emlen- 
ton, Pa. Mr. J. L. Hunter, after having his beautiful 
home destroyed by lire, rebuilt on the same site one vast- 
ly more magnificent, where, with his young wife, he en- 
joys life and happiness. Beaver City was for a time ;i 






AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 25 

very interesting town. There lived Misses Mary and 
Laura Smith with their parents — very accomplished 
young ladies. Miss Mary, now Mrs. Dr. Leadenham, 

of Franklin, Pa., and Miss Laura, who, just in the gala 
day of life was suddenly snatched from her friends by 
the fell destroyer, death. She ate her dinner apparently 
as well as usual, but it is supposed was poisoned from 
eating some canned vegetables, and in less than an hour 
was a corpse. 

Here sat her aged parents, could they realize the change ? 
Softly tread o'er the floor where death comes unawares. 
The mother's voice grew faint, with anguish, 
The father's silvered head is bowed in sorrow. 

Friends and young companions stand aghast ! but 
she is gone, never to return ! 

Messrs. Flynn & Hamm had a large dry goods store in 
Beaver ; Mr. Breston Clover had a grocery ; Mrs. Tay- 
lor a millinery store ; A. Borland kept the Norris House ; 
Mr. Kurtz also kept a store. Messrs. S. H. and Win. 
Lowry lived there and had pleasant homes. Frank G., 
John C, Homer C, and Wm. Keatley made their homes 
there while superintending wells on the Altman farm. 
Many very excellent people resided in Beaver. The 
Altman farm was very productive. Mr. Ross Haney 
had a number of wells on it. The Exley farm adjoin- 
ing was fine oil territory and is the home of the Robin- 
son's, where Miss Lillie Williams resides. 

Charity Hill, on a point on the Best farm, south- 
west of Edenburg, is quite a summer resort and worthy 
of mention. At this point, in the early history of the 
place, a very sad circumstance occurred, which will be 
given in another place. Every town has its lover's re- 
treat. Where could be one more. of a favorite than 



2h' COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

Charity Hill? There, o'er shadowed by stately trees, a 
large platform to protect from dampness; seats arranged 
upon which to rest after climbing up the steep knoll ; : 
swings and hammocks suspended from the trees; cro- 
quet setts to satisfy the lovers of the game ; from springs 
of the purest crystal could be obtained the elixir of life 
to quench the most thirsty ; and the atmosphere so brac- 
ing as to stimulate the most feeble ; here daylight, moon- 
light and gaslight parties were held. Here on our In- 
dependence Day could be mounted the cannon to usher 
in that anniversary with honor. School pic-nics, Sun- 
day school pic-nics, social parties, musical parties, and 
even dancing parties were held there. In lively times 
seldom a week passed that some parties Mere not inspired 
with a desire to consult the oracle- of Charity Hill. Mr. 
G. A. Clark, A. Wilson, S. Kribbs, W. L." Sweet, W. 
Hovt, F. T. Swett and many others lived there in busy 
times. Now Mr. and Mrs. S. Kribbs and their two in- 
teresting little daughters, Wilda and Bessie, and Mr. 
William and Robert Corlette hear the sweet songsters of 
that noted resort. 

On Charity Hill are the large tanks which supply 
Edenbure with water. The water works are now under 
control of the city fathers, and in case of fire would 1>< 
efficient in connection with a good hose carriage and fire 
company and plenty of hose. 

However, as we have circled Edenburg, it behooves 
ns to enter and describe it, if possible. To do it justice 
we should build it up and burn it down a number of 
times. The St. Lawrence well and the Hahiuv ( Jo., well on 
theH. Riser farm, clearly demonstrated the fact that the oil 
belt had its course through this part of the country. People 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 27 

begaDtocome in rapidly. Mr. Chas. Shaw, of Freeport, 
Fa., came with his family. Mr. M. T. Travis, with his son 
Linus R., and daughter Hattie, came from Strattanville, 
Pa., as well as Esq. A twell and family of Franklin, Pa. All 
located on north Main street. N. Brown, Esq., with his 
tank shop, located on State street. Mr. Brown was a 
man of genius and was particularly noted for his fine 
basso voice. He was generally solicited to sing in the 
church choirs. He, with his excellent wife and inter- 
esting son Addison left after the fires, and located in 
Sherman, X. Y., where they went to care for Mrs. 
Brown's aged parents. The same spring, Col. J. B. 
Brown and son, W. C. B. Brown, real estate agents, lo- 
cated on central Main street. The Col. and his son at- 
tended faithfully to business. The Col. was a man of 
fine bearing. He had some peculiarities and used some 
Indian cognomen, having spent some time among the 
Canadian Indians, but withal was a social, intelligent 
man and was blest with a lovely wife, who died shortly 
after they left Edenburg. She was among her friends 
in Rochester, N. Y., when the fell destroyer, cancer, 
terminated a beautiful life. On central Main street was 
Mr. W. S. Brown, with his large furniture store. He 
was the most extensive furniture dealer ever in the lower 
oil country. Mr. Browm and his interesting wife were 
very pleasant citizens. Mrs. Brown with her French 
vivacity was charming ! She was educated in Paris and 
spent much of her early life in the Franco-American 
city of New Orleans, where the French language is as 
much spoken as the English. She enjoyed life in earn- 
est. Mr. Brown endured several scorchings and becom- 
ing weary of this he succeeded in getting business in thv 



28 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

Bradford district. When Mrs. Brown, Clinton and 
Bertha concluded to join him there, their friends here 
regretted very much that they could no longer have 
them. Mr. D. Ochs and family came from Davis' 
Corners and settled on south Main street, where they 
have remained ever since. They were of the pioneers 
with their little family who have now grown up. Miss 
Wilda, now Mrs. J. Berlin, Miss Jennie, now Mrs. J. 
Altman, William, their only son, who spent several 
years in the west and endured pioneer life at Silver Cliff 
and other points, Lizzie and little Minnie arc Eden- 
burgers. Mr. and Mrs. Ochs are probably settled for 
life in their pleasant home surrounded by their children. 
One incident with regard to the St. Lawrence well 
is worthy of mention. Mr. Mendenhall had a never fail- 
ing well at his house, which might truly have been called 
the "Town Pump." Water could always be had there 
when all the other wells were dry. But one day, all of 
a sudden the well quit yielding water. No one could 
account for it. In a few days the water came again. 
The phenomena was inexplicable, until it was ascertained 
that at the time the water failed, the operators, Messrs. 
Hill & Kelley, had cased and tubed the St. Lawrence. 
Soon after they were obliged to draw the casing and tub- 
ing, and as soon as that was done the water returned to 
the well, and when the casino- was again inserted it shut 
it off' entirely. About this time came Dr. Erie \Y . 
Northrop, who hung out his sign, "E. W. Northrop, M. 
D," on Main street, and also brought his wife and two 
lovely little daughters, Mabel and Blanche, both of which 
that fatal disease diphtheria snatched from their embrace 
within the space of three days. The Dr. had an exten- 



AXI> EDENBUEG PEOPLE. 29 

sive practice and being the pioneer physician was very 
much esteemed. He once made a pilgrimage to Silver 
( liff, with thoughts of making his home there, but find- 
ing the atmosphere too rarified he returned to his own 
State, Pennsylvania. The Dr. was the nephew of Rev. 
Calvin Kingsly, Bishop of the M. E. Church, who died 
on his eastern tour and has his grave on the Mediter- 
ranean shore. The same season Mr. Peter Spargo and 
the Gray Brothers brought their families and also locat- 
ed on Main street. 

The first house built for a hotel in Edenburg stood 
almost opposite to the Mendenhall home on State street, 
but w^as destroyed by fire before being occupied. The 
second one was built by Mr. Page Mapleston on State 
street and was called the Edenburg House. This was 
the lodging place for the early adventurers to the new 
oil field. When business became more active, Mr. Ma- 
pleston sold out his interest to Messrs Orr, & Bryan of 
Rouseville. It has always been one of the leading ho- 
tels in the place, and although it has twice been con- 
sumed by fire, it has been rebuilt and is still owned and 
kept by Robt. Orr. The Norris House on Main street 
was the next hotel. This was kept by Mr. Andrew- 
Borland. Mrs. Borland and Misses Laura and Mattie 
were kept very busy with their many boarders and lodg- 
ers. In the autumn quite a number of young men were 
in town and as winter was approaching they began to 
think of some amusements. They conceived the idea of 
a "Skating Rink," and as the roller skating craze had 
not yet reached this part of the country, they leased the 
ravine on State street, just east of where Mr. and Mrs. 
J. A. Travis' new residence now stands. While the 



30 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

adage has it that fortune always favors the brave, in this 
Instance it was a failure. A mild winter with hut little 
-now or ice was not favorable to the enterprise. In the 
spring of 18 To, Mr. Fred Fluinmer obtained a lease and 
drilled the first well on the Mendenhall farm. Me had 
some show of oil, but just then he was getting some very 
large wells at Fairview, Butler county, consequently did 
not test the well. This dampened the ardor of opera- 
tions for a short time. The men who operated on this 
well were Thomas Clinglesmith the contractor, Messrs. 
Ed. Roach now of Kane, Pa., and Mr. M. Carroll, who 
died recently in Fern City, and left an amiable wife all 
alone, without any relatives near her. Death comes to 
all ; but a few short months since Mr Carroll was well 
and busy, earing for the things of earth, but in the midst 
of these busy scenes was called to lay aside these cares 
and obey a higher summons. The Gray Bros., and P. 
Spargo, having faith in the territory, drilled at another 
point on the Mendenhall farm, and were rewarded by a 
large production. The "Nellie (Tray," their first well, 
flowed at intervals for several days. The success of the 
Gray Bros., adventure won the confidence of speculators, 
and but a short time after Messrs John Moran, \Y. C. 
B. Davis, D. J. Wynkoop and G. L. Underwood 
secured leases on the farm, started the drill and were 
well repaid by a large production. From this time 
adventurers were numerous. The town became a scene 
of activity and bustle. Speculators, contractors and 
drillers came in large numbers. On the western part of 
the farm, Messrs Stone and Deming drilled three good 
wells, Nos., 1, 2 and 3. which were subsequently pur- 
chased by Harris & Wallace, then by Mrs. J. G. Men- 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 31 

denhall, afterward by E. G. Crawford, and are now 
owned by Mr. Simon Beck. Two of the wells are still 
producing several barrels per diem. Mr. Beck, having 
purchased the lease, has erected a nice home on it and 
is enjoying some of the fruit which had been planted by 
the original owner. Mr. Wesley Chambers, one of the 
most extensive producers of oil times, purchased the 
Plummer lease and drilled four good wells. Some of 
these are still producing oil. J. McMannus leased ten 
acres on the eastern part of the farm ; but sub-leased be- 
fore operating. Several large wells were drilled upon 
tli is lease, which was known as the Richardson & 
Callihan lease. Much building was done on this lease. 
The extension of Penn Avenue and Railroad streets 
are on it. The leases expired two years since and 
fell back into the hands of the owners Mr. and Mrs. 
Travis. Many of those who formerly leased have now 
purchased their leases and hold them in fee simple, viz : 
Dr. O. G. Moore, T. Kilgour, Fred. J. and David 
Harley, W. Smith, J. J. NefF, J. K Tomlinson, F. M. 
Dennison at the corner of Penn and Dennison Avenues. 
J. C. McCombs, A. J. Smith's iron works, B. Harcles- 
tee, Dr. W. F. Myers, Mrs. D. M. Hazelette, Mrs. 
W. H. Donovan, M. H. Marcus, Wm. Baltzer, trustees 
of W. C. T. U. hall, Mrs. Gibson, J. R. and Mrs. 
Neely, D. & F. ReifF, P. F. Kribbs, Mrs. C. E. Sweet, J. 
Beaty, and N. F. Oles. The John Moran lease was 
subsequently purchased by Wesley Chambers. Mr. 
Chamber's interests are, and have been managed by 
Messrs F. E. Garrett and G. A. Clark, the latter of 
whom has built him a very neat residence on the Moran 
lease, just far enough from the center of town to make a 



:V2 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

pleasant home. Mr. F. E. Garrett has a fine location 
on the hill north of town. He and his amiable wife and 
interesting; little family reside there in ease and happi- 
ness and are regarded as among the most estimable of 
our citizens. Their home is in close proxinity to Mr. 
J. M. Brother's handsome residence. These gentlemen 
live so high that they can look over the town and have 
also a fine view on all sides; but notwithstanding the 
altitude of their positions, thev seem to recognize those 
who occupy lower plains as their equals and friends. 
Mr. J. M. Brothers purchased a number of acres, includ- 
ing the orchard, from G. S. Mendenhall, and proposes to 
make his numerous sons grangers. Mr. Brothers and 
his pleasant wife are kind sympathetic people and true 
friends. With James, George, Joey, Willie, Laura and 
baby form a pleasant family group ; but the fell 
destroyer, death, has visited this house-hold also. The 
last time called John Paid, a sprightly little boy. 

'They laid him down in his little white slip, 

The lids o'er the violet eyes, 
The casket is enshrined in his parents hearts 

The sweet jewel lives in Paradise." 

Mr. Brothers is, and has been quite extensively en- 
gaged in the oil business, and is one of the enterprising 
men of the town. 

J. D. Wolf leased ground and drilled a well on the 
east side of Main street, at which well Mr. Heckethorn 
was killed, by being caught in the bull wheel. J. D. 
Wolf was one of the leading young men of the period. 
He built a large hall, the lower part of which he used 
for his hardware and oil well supply store. The room 
on the second Moor was used as a public hall, where 
preaching services, when they had any, concerts and all 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 33 

social gatherings met — that was before any churches were 
built. About the same time the Garrett Bros., drilled 
a good well on the Mendenhall farm on the north side 
of State street. S. J. Marlin, of Brookville, Pa., drilled 
on the north side of West State street and had a good 
well. In the spring of 1875, the Goss Brothers., of 
Plea^antville, Pa., drilled on Charity Hill, on the Best 
farm ; also Mr. Beam, of the same place, drilled on the 
farm. All had good wells. It was at these wells that 
Alonzo Goss and A. Wilson were killed by a boiler ex- 
plosion. Wilson was instantly killed, and Goss lived 
until the next day. Mrs. A. Wilson and her son 
Howard G., reside on South Main street. Frank Oliver 
resides in Oil City. Her other and eldest son has been 
in the west for several years. This same spring Mr. M. 
E. Hess, of Shippenville, also drilled on the Best farm 
and had a fine well. During the summer great develop- 
ments Avere made in and around Edeiiburg. The first 
to erect a church in the town were the Winebrinarians. 
The Methodist Episcopals had been anxious to build, 
and some large amounts had been pledged toward the 
enterprise, but on account of some obstacles were obliged 
to postpone for a time. Consequently as the people 
gathered into the town, it became imperative to have a 
church, and the new denomination took the initiatory 
steps. Messrs D. Higgins, W. Crawford, and W. 
Boarts, took the lead in the business department. Rev. 
J. Veneman was pastor. Mr. J. I. Best gave them a 
lease on South Main street for ninety-nine years. All the 
citizens assisted by giving liberally. The church was 
finished and dedicated in March 1876, by Rev. J. Shoe- 
maker of Chicago. They kept regular services for 



34 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 

some time. A large Union Sabbath school was organ- 
ized, with Mr. J. M. Giifurd as Superintendent. Some 
of the principal officers and teachers were D. J. AVvn- 
koop, G. L. Underwood, Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crabbe, 
and B. F. Painter. The Misses Mary and Laura Smith, 
of Beaver ; Miss Carrie Stone, of the Beck farm, Misses 
Mellie and Ella Davis, Misses Laura and Mattie Bor- 
land, Miss Lizzie Miller, Mr. J. H. Irvin and Mr. 
John McCrea, and very many younger men and Misses, 
as the school was principally composed of that class. 
No doubt memory often reverts to those pleasant Sab- 
bath afternoons where they met to study "The Word" 
and enjoy each other's society. First they all met as 
strangers ; but ere long became familiar friends. There 
it was that Air. John MeCrea's musical talent became 
established, and something of an old time singing school 
was conducted by him for mutual improvement. Like 
all other singing; schools in the days of "Auld Lang 
Syne," it had its little musical episodes and many of 
them (piite provocative of mirth. 

April 1st, 1876, the young people, with a number 
of the married people, Mr. and Mrs. Crabbe, and others 
held a centennial costume party in Wolf's Hall. It is 
needless to name the parties as all the young people of 
that period were engaged in it. The dresses, many of 
them, were of very unique designs. No more honor 
was displayed in the Centennial year to our flag and na- 
tion than was in spirit by that Centennial party in Ed- 
enburg. 

In less than two years after the Winebrinarian 
church was built, the denomination sold it to the Pres- 
byterians. The first Presbyterian family found in or 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 35 

near Edenburg was that of John Craig Hill, from Free- 
port, Pa. In the spring of 1876 Rev. W. D. Cassett 
was sent by the Clarion Presbytery to look up the mem- 
bers of that denomination, and he stopped with Mr. and 
Mrs. Mendenhall. Mrs. Mendenhall chanced to know 
that Mr. Hill was a Presbyterian and directed him there. 
The people around Edenburg, up to that time, were 
mostly members of the Evangelical Lutheran, German 
Reformed, no Presbyterian churches, with a few Metho- 
dist Episcopals. Rev Cassett preached a number of 
times and was followed by Rev. Ross Stevenson, J. 
Hench and others. They rented the Winebrinarian 
church prior to their organization and purchase of the 
church. At the organization of the church, the official 
members were Messrs. D. Wilhelni, Robert Atwell, 
John C. Hill, A. Culbertson, Elders. Messrs. L. Mit- 
chell, Harry Craig and J. B. Painter, Trustees. The 
first regular pastor was Rev. Perry Alien, who was in- 
stalled September 10th, 1877. Rev. Allen was a fine 
speaker, an interesting minister, and under his pastorate 
the church enjoyed much prosperity. Early in his min- 
istry he married a very amiable lady and they enjoyed 
home life in the new parsonage which was fitted up for 
their use. He received a salary of fifteen hundred 
dollars. He served the church one year, from which he 
went to obey a call from the first Presbyterian church 
of Sharon Pa., and is now Pastor of the Presbyterian 
church of Warren, Pa., After Rev. Allen left, which 
was immediately after the great fire of 187j8, the church 
was served by supplies, among whom were Revs. S. 
Greible, S. B. Fleming, J. W. Wilson, S. J. Sloan, A. 
B. Fields, (now deceased) D. L. Dickey and Joseph 



36 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

Bauseman, a young man, who united with the church 
on profession of his faith, under the pastorate of Rev. 

Allen. This young man had imbibed some infidel 
views, but after listening to the preaching of the gospel 
in the churches of Edenburg, became convinced of his 
error and gave his heart to God and united with the 
Presbyterian church — the church of his mother's choice. 
He at once commenced to prepare for the ministry. Af- 
ter passing through the curriculum of the Theological 
Seminary at Allegheny City, he returned and preached 
with great acceptability to this community. The other 
supplies were F. H. Earseman, who, the year before he 
graduated, served the church six months very accepta- 
bly. Following; him was Rev. T. S. Gray, a very gen- 
ial, pleasant christian minister, who with his mother and 
little brother Charley, composed a very interesting 
family. 

On February 1st, 1887, at a special meeting of the 
Clarion Presbytery, Revs. J. S. Elder, T. 8. Leasonand 
J. W. Wilson officiating, Rev. F. H. Earseman, a tal- 
ented young minister, was installed pastor to serve the 
church at a salary of $800, with the following hoard of 
elders : Messrs." J. C. McCombs, J. C. Hill, A. Culb- 
erson and W. I. McDowell. Trustees : G. S. Hamm, 
S. X. McClelland, Hugh Am., and Hunter Hill. At 
the first organization of the Presbyterian church, the 
Union Sabbath School control was assumed by that 
church. Tt has had different superintendents, but the 
principal ones have been Hugh Amo, W. I. McDowell 
and A. Culbertson. Mr. McDowell is the present super- 
intendent. The Presbyterian church has had a Foreign 
Missionary Society connected with it for several years. The 



AND EDEXBURG PEOPLE. 37 

I 



present officers are : Mrs. J. C. Hill, President ; Miss My rs 
McElhattan, Recording Secretary ; Mrs. Hugh Amo, 
Corresponding Secretary ; Miss Lizzie Cnlbertson, Treas- 
urer. Church choir : — Mrs. H. P. Loomis, organist ■ 
Misses Florence Mong, Alice Forker and Carrie Mong. 
Messrs. H. P. Loomis, W. I. McDowell and B. A. 
Kribbs. 

In the fall of 18 75, the Methodist Episcopal denom- 
ination decided to build a church, haying some large 
amounts already subscribed for that purpose. Rev. E. 
M. Kernick being appointed by the M. E. Conference 
to serve the Salem charge, (Edenburg not haying been 
represented at conference as an appointment,) he was 
personally solicited by Mr. and Mrs. Mendenhall ' and 
others, to come and make it an appointment, and take 
the business oversight of building a church. He com- 
plied with their request promptly, and ' proved himself 
to be just the man for the place. He at once organized 
a Board of Trustees yiz: Wm. P. Finley, President • 
Maj. J. B. Maitland, Secretary; J. J. Bradley, Treasurer. 
The other members were Daniel Gilger, J. I. Best G. 
G. Howe and R. C. Armstrong. The trustees secured 
a charter. Mr, Mendenhall offered them three lots for 
church purposes. Two for a church site and one for a 
parsonage, on any part of his farm that they might 
choose to select. The Board selected a site on Central 
Main street; The contract was let in November 1875. 
In February 1876, through the energy of Rev. Kernick 
pushing on the work, the first quarterly meeting was 
held in it, although it was not yet finished. At this 
time Mr. and Mrs. Mendenhall presented to the church 
a costly communion service. The work progressed and 



38 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBUEG 

on the 16th of the following June it was dedicated by 
Rev. J. R. Lyon, P. E., (now deceased). At the dedi- 
cation the proprietors and employees of the St. Lawrence 
well presented a handsomely bound Bible and hym- 
nal. The church was a handsome structure, well fin- 
ished outwardly with a steeple 85 feet highland a costly 
fresco finish inside. One can scarcely realize how such 
a beautiful structure could be erected at so small a cost 
as $5,000. It was only through the economy of the 
superintendent, and the liberality of some large hearted 
ones who did much giving which was not reckoned in 
the cost. When the church began to build there were 
five male members and eight lady members, making the 
sum* total thirteen members. At the time of dedication 
in June there were sixty members. 

In this world we experience sunshine and shadow 
in their varied forms. AVhile Edenburg was growing 
and evervthing was moving forward, shadows began to 
o'ercast the horizon. In May, Mrs. J. S. Mendenhall 
died of pulmonary consumption. Having been reared in 
the dry, bracing atmosphere of California she was not 
able to endure the many changes of our climate. Mr. 
J. G. Mendenhall, who had given so much toward the 
erection of this new church, and whose great ambition 
amid all his other business, was to see a church estab- 
lished, was taken from his bed to the dedication, where 
he put on his last thousand to see it dedicated and was 
carried back, and was never out of his house again until 
he was carried out a corpse. He was greatly missed in 
that busy time by the citizens and by his wife and fami- 
ly and the church for which he had done so much. His 
decease occurred August 11th, 1876. A procession of 



AND EDEXBURG PEOPLE. 39 - 

twelve hundred people followed him to his last resting 
place. 

A busy life had been his, varied with much com- 
fort. The busy wheels of life now stand still. The 
silver cord is broken. As the poet has expressed it : 

"Rest comes at length, though life be long and dreary, 
The light must dawn, and darksome night be past ; 

All journeys end in welcome to the weary, 

And heaven, the heart's true home will come at last." 

On June 23d, the Sabbath following the dedication, 
a special meeting was called for the purpose of organiz- 
ing a Sabbath school. An organization was effected by 
electing Maj. J. B. Maitland; Superintendent ; C. B. 
Haven, Assistant ; Mrs. J. Vedder, Secretary ; J. J. 
Bradley, Treasurer ; J. R. Bowman, Chorister ; Miss 
Ella Davis, now Mrs. J. D. Wynkoop, organist, and 
the following teachers ; Mrs. J. B. Maitland and Miss 
Hettie A. Keatley, primary department ; Mr. and Mrs. 
J. J. Bradley, M133. Jennie Boyer, Mrs. J. Vedder, Mr. 
G. S. Hamm and Col. J. B. Brown in the other depart- 
ments. With regard to church interests and help, where 
all were willing workers, it is difficult to particularize. 
Mr. G. G. Howe, "Father Howe" as he was familiarly 
called, gave liberally to both the first churches. Al- 
though on his death bed at the time of the dedication of 
the second church, he gave still. Mrs. Howe was a most 
excellent woman, was very anxious to see a church erect- 
ed and did all she could for its accomplishment ; but 
died in March preceding the completion of the first 
church, at the age of 65 years. Father Howe lived un- 
til September 1881, when he too joined her at the age of 
76 years. They rest in peace. Mrs. Boyer their daughter 
and N. B. Howe, Esq., have been liberal givers. R. C. 



40 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

Armstrong, one of the first trustees and consecutively so, 
gave liberally to all the churches. 

There were sixteen producing wells on the Men- 
denhall farm at the time of Mr. MendenhalPs death, 
August, 1876, and in all 36 wells. In the spring of 
that year oil sold at forty cents per barrel. Many prophe- 
sied that they would never see two dollar oil again, but 
before the next January it sold for four dollars and 
twenty-five cents. Edenburg was made a station at the 
next Erie annual conference, Rev. E. M. Kernick was 
returned and lived in the neat, comfortable parsonage 
that had also been erected the previous year, at a cost of 
sixteen hundred dollars. The congregation worshipped 
in this new church until January 5th, 1877, at which 
time it was burned. Some were of the opinion that it 
was the work of incendiary, others that the fire originat- 
ed from the heaters. No other buildings were burned 
at that time. On the ashes of this church a spirit of 
ambition inspired the multitude to erect another church 
on the same site, and much larger. With the insurance 
on the one just burned and additional subscriptions the 
trustees proposed to build one worth eight thousand dol- 
lars. The work on this second church was executed 
rapidly, and when finished was a beautiful house of 
worship, large and well finished. In the basement, Sab- 
bath school and lecture room, two class rooms and kitch- 
en with furniture. The house was furnished with two 
organs and every other necessity. The board of trustees 
were Maj. J. B. Maitland, J. J. Bradley, G. G. Howe, 
R. C. Armstrong, W. W. Wingard, E. F. Heeter, J. I. 
Best, W. B. Weaver, P. F. Kribbs and M. E. Hess. 
On resignation of Maj. J. B. Maitland as Sunday school 






AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 41 

superintendent, M. E. Hess was elected. The church 
was dedicated August 20th, 1877 by Rev. J. P. New- 
man, D. D., pastor then, as he is now, of the Metropoli- 
tan M. E. church, Washington City. Rev. E. M. Ker- 
nick served the church faithfully two years. He saw 
two fine churches erected and finished, one at a cost of 
$5,000 and the other at a cost of $8,000 and a parson- 
age at a cost of $1,600. He received a salary each year 
of $800. 

As this is a history of local events, it would be 
gratifying to the writer to name each one who contribut- 
ed to these church enterprises, but that would be an 
herculean task. At the following conference of the M. 
E. Church held at Fredonia, K Y., Rev. P. P. Pinney 
was appointed to the charge. During some parts of his 
first year the membership of the church numbered near- 
ly three hundred and he received a salary of $1,600. 
The second year of his pastorate there were some new de- 
velopments in the "upper oil field," and by removals 
the membership became somewhat reduced and he only 
received $1,200. The church had worshipped in this 
edifice one year, and from 20th of August 1877 to the 
13th of October 1878, when the church and parsonage 
were both consumed in the great conflagration of the lat- 
ter date. After this fire the trustees purchased the Chas. 
E. Brown property for $300, which was the next par- 
sonage. They then urchased an acre of ground from 
G. S. Mendenhall, west of central Main street and sold 
the lots which had been donated to them tor church 
purposes for all time. With the proceeds of the sale, 
and the balance of insurance (after paying off claims on 
the church just burned) they built a small, but rather 



42 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 

commodious church, for the sum of $2,200. This, Rev. 
Pinney's third year, he received a salary of SI, 000. This 
third church was dedicated March 6th, 1879, by Rev. B. 
F. Delo, P. E. Rev. Pinnev, notwithstanding the many 
depressing casualties, had a pleasant pastorate of three 
years. 

In February 1879, at a meeting of the C. L. S. C, 
held at Mrs. J. G. Mendenhalls, the subject of minis- 
terial support was discussed, as, in view of the disastrous 
fire which had thrown so many out of their homes, it 
looked a little dark in advance. There was a motion 
made to organize "A Circle" for work and have a May 
Fair. It was unanimously carried and it was resolved 
to call it the Society ot Earnest Workers of Edenburg. 
On motion, Mrs. G. L. Underwood was chosen Presi- 
dent ; Miss Hettie A. Keatley, Vice President ; Miss 
Hattie Hatch, Secretary and Mrs. B. F. Bonnell, Treas- 
urer. This society was to meet weekly at the houses, 
which were large enough to entertain it, to work and 
organize plans for the lair. All the ladies in the com- 
munity became interested in it, without regard to church 
relations. It was a lovely, social time. When the 5th 
of May came (the time the fair was to commence) all re- 
paired to the "Old Opera House," each to carry out their 
different parts. The first place of importance was "The 
Loan Art Gallery" on the second floor. This was con- 
ducted under the supervision of the committee appoint- 
ed by the Society viz: Mr. and Mrs. Crabbe, Mr. and 
Mrs! F. G. Sackett, Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Hess and Dr. 
Boley. To undertake to describe that collection of 
ancient and unique articles would take much space. 
Many of the curiosities were loaned from some distance, 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 43 

but the most were collected in the county. Mrs. Crabbe 
conceived the idea of having a "butter woman." Mr. 
Thomas McCall, a sculptor, was solicited to try his skill, 
and made one scarcely inferior to the one exhibited at the 
Centennial exhibition. In addition to this he made a 
"mud man" which was considered a great curiosity. 
The committee spent much time and care upon this de- 
partment, especially the chairman of the committee, 
Mrs. Crabbe, and were rewarded by the enconium "well 
done." Strangers from abroad, who visited the "Fair" 
during the week, pronounced the art gallery, in arrange- 
ment, not inferior to loan galleries in the cities, but not 
so extensive. The lower floor was dotted with booth's 
on every side, decorated in the most lovely manner, un- 
til the old house presented the appearance of a fairy's 
palace. Seldom is it that every one does well, where so 
many are at work, but in this instance each felt that 
upon them individually rested responsibility, and at the 
close of the week the gross proceeds amounted to $600 — 
nett $475. This was paid on the minister's salary. In 
justice to all we should like to name each one who 
helped with the enterprise. The lunch and ice cream 
tables were under the. supervision of Mrs. Pinney and 
Bonuell, assisted by Mesdames, Lavertv, Mavs, Smith, 
Long, Ochs, Myers, McCall and others. Fancy table : 
Principal, Mrs. Young ; Mrs. G. L. Underwood, Mrs. 
W. C. B. Davis, Mrs. Harley, Mrs. Tomlinson, Mrs. 
Cowan. Table of wearing apparel made by the society : 
Mrs. F. T. Whitehill, Mrs. J. J. Bradley,' Mrs. J. T. 
Wilson, Mrs. J. M. Bethune, Mrs. Jahn, Mrs. Reding- 
er, Mrs. J. D. Wynkoop, Mrs. L. C. Leech, Mrs. B. B. 
Dunn and her aged mother Mrs. McLean. Grocery 



44 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 

stand : Mr. G. L. Underwood in the evenings. These 
occupied the east side of the room, handsomely decorat- 
ed and festooned. On the west side of the room was 
the commission table. The decorations were very at- 
tractive. The writer, with Mrs. Crick assisted by Miss 
Hattie K. Travis, Miss McElhattan, the Misses Mays 
and Mrs. Mendenhall had charge. It yielded $52 alone. 
There was a flower stand, a lemonade stand and a con- 
fectionery stand. One special feature was the "Baby 
Show/' conducted by Mrs. J. G. Mendenhall, on Thurs- 
day afternoon. This drew the largest audience of any 
of the day exercises. Thirty-two beautiful babies, un- 
der two years old, with their proud mamma's, were seat- 
ed on the platform concealed by a curtain. Any one wish- 
ing to look at the lovely sight paid ten cents. In an 
hour $13.65 was realized. The young ladies had en- 
terprises of interest in the evening, which brought in 
much money. Among the young ladies, were Miss 
Frankie Best now Mrs. G. M. Gushing, Miss Emma 
Kehoe now Mrs. John Johnson, Miss Maggie Mackey 
now Mrs. Joseph Flynn, Miss Hattie Hatch, now Mrs. 
J. R. Bowman, Miss Florence Kribbs now Mrs. G. A. 
Karns, Miss Louie Wilson, now Mrs. Rev. W. Mayes 
Martin, Mrs. Emma Mays now Mrs Xeeland, Miss 
Hattie Travis, Misses McElhattan, Miss Sadie Mayes, 
Miss Anna Mason, Miss M. A. McKenzie, Miss Wilda 
Ochs now Mrs. J. Berlin of Fern City, Miss Tate and 
many others. The gentlemen who took a special inter- 
est, were W. C. B. Davis, G. L. Underwood, M. T. 
Travis, D. J. Wynkoop, M. E. Hess, J. M. Bethune, J. 
G. Tate, D. W. Lewis, F. G. and F. Sackett, E. W. 
Crabbe, Dr. Boley, D. Harley, Thomas McCall, J. J. 






AND EDEXBURG PEOPLE. 45 

Bradley, Rev. P. Pinney, G. S. Mendenhall, Allen Mc- 
Lain, J. I. Best and F. T. Whitehall. At this fair 
much sociability was manifested. It is a question now 
freely discussed whether it is right to resort to such 
methods. While we do not claim it unqualifiedly right, 
we think the end justifies the means sometimes. In this 
instance the town had been reduced to ashes ; the church 
property was also destroyed ; the Presbyterian minister 
had gone, and a generous spirit would not allow the on- 
ly one who remained to suffer ; and by uniting their ef- 
forts — "for in union is strength" — they could make the 
minister comfortable. It seemed right to do this. There 
were so many willing workers, it seeming like their 
gifts to building the tabernacle in olden times. An- 
other benefit it brought the people who had been scat- 
tered by the fire together Many were living in very 
small houses until they could rebuild. Only for this 
the former associations would have been completely for- 
gotten. When the shadows fall upon us nothing cheers 
us so much as association with those who have had the 
same experience. It makes us stronger to feel for others 
woes and sorrows ! 

In 1880, at the M. E. Conference held at Corry, 
Pa., Rev. W. Mayes Martin, formerly of 10th Street 
church, Erie, Pa., was appointed to serve the church as 
pastor. He was a young man of superior talent and 
christian deportment, under whose guidance the church 
and Sabbath school had a very pleasant and profitable 
year. His ministry was of the kind which developes 
' the better nature of our being. His daily life was ex- 
emplary and his sermons carried weight with them on 
that account. As a gentleman, who was not a member 



46 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

of any church, remarked : "I like to hear Rev Martin 
because there is more of God and His love for poor hu- 
manity in it than we often hear." He received his sal- 
ary, and at the close of the year a farewell social was 
made, at which time he received nearly one hundred 
dollars. He was conductor of a large C. L. S. C. circle, 
who also manifested their gratitude in a very substan- 
tial manner. He went to Minnesota and served three 
years very acceptably at Fergus Falls, and is now in his 
third year at St. Cloud, one of the oldest towns in the 
State. The following conference appointed Dr. W. L. 
Riley. During this year the trustees sold the old par- 
sonage and built one on the lot near the church. It cost 
about $400. Thus, in less than seven years, the M . E. 
Church of Edenburg had built three churches and two 
parsonages and purchased one already built. Dr. Riley, 
a fluent speaker, held good congregations. He received 
$1,000 salary. Following Dr. Riley, Rev. B. F. Delo 
was appointed to the charge, and was returned a second 
year. He received each year $700. The present pas- 
tor, a very brilliant, energetic man, Rev. J. H. Keeley, 
is in his third year and receives a salary of $700 per 
year, with several beneficial socials. Some repairs on 
the church last year, with the benevolent collections and 
minister's salary, amounted to $1,200. With oil at 63 
cents the outlook is not very encouraging for the near 
future. ' 

The present Superintendent of the Sunday school is 
M. E. Hess, with the following board of trustees : P. 
F. Kribbs, President ; G. M. Cushing, Secretary ; J. 
M. Bethune, Treasurer ; George M. Burke, F. T. 
Whitehill, M. E. Hess, Allen McLain, R. C. Armstrong 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 47 

and N. B. Howe. The Methodist Episcopal Church 
has three missionary organizations : The Foreign Mis- 
sionary Society, the Ladies Foreign Missionary Society 
and the Woman's Home Missionary Society. The Lucy 
Hayes Home Mission Band of the M. E. Church, in this 
place has been conducted under the auspices of the Wo- 
man's Home Mission Society. It was organized by the 
authority and under the direction of Mrs. C. V. Cul- 
ver, Corresponding Secretary of the W. H. M. S. of 
Erie M. E. Conference, on the 4th of March, 1884, the 
writer being appointed by Mrs. Culver, Directress. Of- 
ficers elected semi-yearly. First President, Miss Flor- 
ence E. Smith (now of Kane, Pa.;) Vice Presidents, 
Misses Lizzie McConnell, Rosie Childs, Mattie Grinder 
and Bella McLaughlin ; Corresponding Secretary, Mas- 
ter Frank G. Travis ; Recording Secretary , Ethel Hub- 
bard ; Treasurer, Master Joe Brothers. During this 
six months Mrs. ex-President Hayes, the President of 
the Home Mission Society in the United States, in token 
of her interest in the Band, which was named for her, 
sent the Corresponding Secretary an autograph letter 
and her photograph. Second election, Master Joe Broth- 
ers, President ; Misses Mabel Kribbs, Sadie Best, Nan- 
nie McCormick and Attie West, Vice Presidents ; Cor- 
responding Secretary, Mamie Brunei* • Recording Secre- 
tary, Lulu Hubbard ; Treasurer, Grace Booth. In 
November of that year, Mrs. Culver and Mrs. J. K. 
Dale made the band a special visit. At the close of the 
missionary year, October 1885, the band had sent to 
Gilbert Haven Industrial Home, Savannah, Georgia, 
supplies to the amount of $19.00 and paid to the same 
institution $20.00 in money. By the payment of the 



48 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 

$20, thev made their directress a life member of the 
Home Mission Society. Officers for last year, Presi- 
dent, Miss Susie Kribbs ; Vice Presidents, Misses Jen- 
nie Best, Gillie Clark, Jettie Jolley, Ella Yates and 
Luella Jolley ; Corresponding Secretary, Miss Stella 
Benn ; Recording Secretary, Miss Leora Tomlinson ; 
Treasurer and organist, Miss Essie Bethune. During 
the year $4.00 of supplies were sent to Haven Home, 
and $20 in money to the same school. By the payment 
of the $20, the Band made their pastor, Rev. J. H. 
Keeley a life member of the W. H. M. S. The mem- 
bers of the Band viz : Misses Susie Kribbs, Essie Be- 
thune, Ethel Hubbard, Mabel Kribbs and Grace Floyd 
collected a "nickel fund" of $7.36, to enable the society 
to build a missionary training school in the city of Chi- 
cago. Thus the little band has paid in money $47.36 
— and for mother's jewels $5.70 — $53.06, and in supplies 
$23.00. Total, $76.06. The choir of the M. E. church 
and Sabbath school at present, is as follows : Mr. J. J. 
Corlette, leader ; Misses Lou Best and Emma Clark, 
organists ; Misses Maud Van Geisen, Daisy Byers, 
Sylvia Gibbs, Nellie Cuffman, Leanna Neff and Jennie 
Best. 

In the spring of 1879, the Catholic denomination 
being quite strong, concluded to build a church. They 
purchased a beautiful location on the hill on the north 
side of State street from Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Travis, 
where they erected a fine church building and a very 
neat parsonage. Rev. J. Mulligan was pastor at that 
time. Like the other denominations, they lost many of 
their members by removals, consequently, the church 
has never been entirely finished. Father Mulligan was 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 49 

the only stationed priest the church ever had. Since he 
left, the church has been served by monthly supplies. 



ORGANIZATION OF THE BOROUGH. 

In the Autumn of 1876 the borough of Edenburg 
was organized by procuring a charter. The Menden- 
hall and Best farms alone were included in the borough 
limits. The charter was procured through the agency 
of Wilson & Jenks at a cost of $280. 

The first election of officers resulted in the election 
of P. F. Kribbs, Burgess, with the following Council, 
viz : J. I. Best, Robt. Bryan, Dr. E. W. Northrop, J. 
B. Painter, J. D. Wynkoop and E. W. Crabbe. 

BOROUGH ORDINANCES. 

In pursuance and by virtue of the Acts of Assembly of the Commonwealth 
of Pennsylvania, relating to Boroughs the Burgess and Town Council of 
the Borough of Edenburg did on the 20th day of December, A. D., 1876, or- 
dain and enact the following ordinances for the government of said Bor- 
ough : 

No. 1. — Council. 

Be it ordained and enacted by the Burgess and Town Council of the Bor- 
ough of Edenburg. and it is hereby ordained and enacted by the authority 
of the same: That within ten days from the election for borough officers, 
the councilmen shall meet for organization, and be sworn in according to 
law. The Burgess will be ex-officio president of the Council; the Secretary, 
Treasurer, and Street Commissioner shall be elected. A majority of a full 
Council shall be necessary for a choice, all of which officers shall take an 
oath or affirmation to perform their several duties with fidelity. The Town 
Council shall meet as often as once a month at such time as may be fixed 
by the by-laws of the corporation. 

No. 2.— Burgess. 

Sec. 1.— That the Burgess shall meet with the Council for organiza- 
tion and take upon himself the oath or affirmation prescribed by law, and 
it is hereby made the duty of the Council to give reasonable notice of such 
meeting. 

Sec. 2.— That it shall be the duty of the Burgess to sign all orders on 
the treasurer, provided the same shall have first been approved and direct- 
ed to be paid by the Council. 



50 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBTJEG 

Sec. 3.— That the Burgess in conjunction with tin- Council, shall have 
control of the high constable and all police employed by the authority of 
the borough ; and the Burgess shall have power in cases of emergency to 
appoint special police, provided such appointment shall not Continue longer 
than two days, unless approved by the Council. 

Sec. 4.— That the Burgess shall preserve order and maintain the 
peace of the borough, enforce the ordinances and regulations, hear com- 
plaints and exact a faithful performance of the duties of the officers ap- 
pointed. That he shall issue his warrant for the collection of all taxes as- 
sessed, demand and secure sufficient security in the amount fixed by Coun- 
cil, from the treasurer, collector and high constable. That the Burgess 
shall sign the by-laws, rules, regulations and ordinances after they have 
been duly and correctly transcribed by the secretary, and shall from time 
to time prepare and transmit to the Council a message calling their atten- 
tion to such subjects as may in his judgment require their attention. 

Sec. 5. — That in the absence of the Burgess, or in case of vacancy or 
inability of the same, the Council elect one of their number to exercise the 
like powers and like duties. 

No. 3.— Secretary. 

Sec. 1. — That the Secretary shall attend all the meetings of the Coun- 
cil, keep full minutes of their proceeding, transcribe their by-1 aws. rules, 
regulations and ordinances adopted into a book kept for that purpose, and 
when signed by the presiding officers, attest the same, preserve the records 
and keep the seal of the borough, certify copies of any book, paper, record, 
by-laws, rules regulations, ordinances or proceedings under the seal there- 
of, attest the same and file for record the proof services of all notices, and 
draw orders on the treasurer for amount of all bills which have passed the 
Council, and at the expiration of office deliver to his successor the seal and 
all the books, papers and other things belonging to the borough. 

No. 4.— Treasurer. 

Sec. 1. — That the Treasurer shall give bond with security, as required 
by the Council, before entering upon his duties ; he shall keep a just ac- 
count of his receipts and disbursements, and shall submit his accounts to 
the Burgess and Town Council at a regular meeting thereof, and shall annu- 
ally submit his accounts to the borough auditors to be audited and exam- 
ined by them, and shall publish the same in the manner directed by the 
Council, and at the expiration of his office shall pay over monies remaining 
in his hands and deliver all books, papers, accounts and other things be- 
longing to the borough to his successor. 

Sec. 2. — He shall receive all monies accruing to the borough in any 
way whatever, and pay the same out on orders drawn by the Burgess and 
countersigned by the clerk and keep the accounts of his office in a correct 
and intellegible manner, wherein the receipts and expenditures of the bor- 
ough may at all times be inspected by the Burgess and councilmen, or any 
tax payer. 

No. 5. — HIOH CONSTABLE AND POLICEMEN. 

Sec. 1. — That it shall be the duty of the high constable and police to 



AXD EDENBURG PEOPLE. 51 

enforce all borough laws, rules and regulations, to make or cause to be 
made to the Burgess or Justice of the Peace, complaint of every infraction 
of said laws, ordinances and regulations which shall come to their knowl- 
edge, and procure the necessary proof thereof, and insubordination to the 
Burgess, to preserve the peace and quiet of the borough and shall quell all 
vice and disturbances. 

Sec. 2.— The high constable shall post or cause to be posted in the 
manner prescribed by law all notices of elections held. in pursuance of any 
resolutions of the Council, and all ordinances enacted by the Council, and 
when any law or regulation requires personal notice to be given relative 
to any proceeding before the Council, shall serve such notices as may be 
required by law or resolution, and shall execute all warrants and proces- 
ses issued by the borough. 

Sep. 3.— It shall be the duty of the high constable to securely keep 
and feed all such persons as may be confined in the lock-up or in his cus- 
tody ; otherwise in pursuance of the laws of this borough, he shall be en- 
titled to charge and receive such compensation for boarding prisoners, 
provided, however, that the borough shall be liable to the high constable 
for such boarding bills. 

Sec. 4.— The high constable or any police officer under him shall 
make complaint or cause the' same to be made to the Burgess or any jus- 
tice of the peace within this borough of any infraction of the laws of this 
commonwealth, in regard to Sabbath breaking, gambling, profanity or 
the sale of intoxicating liquors within the limits of the borough. 

Sec. 5. — The high constable shall give bond in such sum and with 
such security as may be approved by the Council. The bond with his oath 
of office shall be filed within five days of the time he receives notice of 
his election ; provided, that if the Council shall agree to it, he may per- 
form these duties at a later period. 

Sec. 6.— If the high constable or any police officer shall neglect or re- 
fuse to enforce any of the laws, ordinances or regulations of the borough 
after his or their attention shall have been called thereto by any citizen , 
such officer shall be fined in any sum not less than 82 nor more than 8100 
in addition to any other penalty his neglect may subject him or them. 

Xo. 6.— STREET COMMISSIONER. 

Sec. 1.— That the street commissioner shall be in strict subordina- 
tion and subject to the directions of the Burgess and Council and shall 
have full power and authority to carry out his instructions, or in the en- 
forcement of ordinances, to make contracts and to employ all needful aid 
in constructing roads and sidewalks or removing obstructions from the 
same. 

Sec. 2.— It shall be the duty of the street commissioner to give im- 
mediate notice to all persons whose buildings, fences or other property of 
any kind whatever may encroach upon property belonging to the bor- 
ough, and if the same be not moved within thirty days after such notice, 
it shall be the duty of the street commissioner to remove the same without 
delay at the expense of the borough and make returns thereof to the 



52 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

Council as soon thereafter as possible, with the cost of removing the same, 
verified by oath or affirmation, whereupon the Burgess in addition to any 
fine that may be imposed according to the ordinance of the borough, shall 
proceed according to law to recover the amount so expended for the re- 
moval of any such obstruction with twenty per centum added thereto, 
which s»im or sums shall be placed in the treasury for the use of the bor- 
ough. 

Sue. 3«— It shall be the duty of the street commissioner to enforce all 
regulations and ordinances relating to streets, alleys, roads, culverts, 
sewers, bridges or nuisances, and shall not permit any stagnant water or 
other nauseous or offensive matter, whereby the health or lives of the in- 
habitants may be endangered, to remain within the limits of the borough 
whether on public or private property. 

Sec 4. — It shall be the duty of the street commissioner to pay close 
attention to all matters pertaining to the borough in order to ascertain if 
any of the ordinances or regulations have been or are being violated, 
and he shall give immediate information of any violation he may 
discover. He shall have full power and authority to enter in and up- 
on any private property and remove therefrom at the expense of the own- 
er or occupant thereof any and all nuisances found therein and to exam- 
ine all flues and chimneys and to enforce all ordinances pertaining to the 
same. 

Sec. 5. — He shall have charge of all tools belonging to the borough, 
and shall be accountable therefor. He shall keep account of all expendi- 
tures in his department, designating the different items purchased and 
moneys expended. 

Sec. 6.— He shall prepare and present to the Council at least once a 
month a correct statement of all expenditures in his office during the pre- 
ceding month, with name of each oerson employed by him, showing the 
time, when and how long such person was employed by him, the amount 
of daily pay, with the whole amount due each person up to the time of 
such presentment. 

Sec. 7. — If the street commissioner shall willfully neglect or refuse to 
perform any duty required of him by the ordinances of this borough after 
his attention has been called thereto by any citizen of the borough, he 
shall pay a fine of not less than $2 nor more than $50. in addition to any 
other penalty his neglect may su jject him to. 

No. 7.— AUDITORS. 

Sec. 1. — That the borough auditors, shall annually, not later than 
the first day of April, meet and examine, audit and adjust the books, pa- 
pers and accounts of the borough treasurer, for the preceding year, which 
shall in all case9 end on the first day of March. 

Sec. 2,— That they shall cancel all orders and vouchers, by them al- 
lowed, and »hall immediately make and present to the Council a written 
report of the receipts and expenditures of the borough for the preceding 
year, and also return to the borough clerk all orders and vouchers by 
them canceled. 



AND EDENBUKG PEOPLE. 53 

No. 8.— RIDING OK DRIVING ON SIDEWALKS. 

Sec. 1. — That it shall be unlawful for any person or persons to ride 
or drive any horse or horses, or any mule on the sidewalk, and such per- 
son or persons so offending, shall be fined $5.00, and in default of payment 
of the same, the Burgess shall commit the said offender to the borough 
lock-up for the space of forty-eight hours. 

NO. 10 —DISORDERLY CONDUCT. 

Sec. 1.— That it shall be the duty of the high co.istable, or any police 
officer, at all times to apprehend all suspected night walkers, malefactors, 
vagabonds, rowdies and disorderly persons, who may be found upon the 
street corners, alleys, sidewalks, bar-rooms, drinking saloons or other pub- 
lic places within the borough limits, and bring all such persons before the 
burgess, to be examined, and if such above described persons shall be con- 
victed of any disorderly conduct calculated to disturb the peace, or being 
found gathered together in disorderly assemblies, or standing upon side- 
walks, bridge or crossing so as to interfere with travelers or footmen there- 
on, all such offenders shall be fined not less than $3, nor more than $20. 

Sec. 2. — All persons are strictly forbidden and prohibited standing, 
lounging, or loitering near to any ctiurch or public building, in the bor- 
ough, during the time of holding any service or meeting or in any way 
preventing or impeding the free ingress or egress of any person in attend- 
ance thereat. All persons so offending, shall forfeit and pay a fine of not 
less than $5, nor more than $2C, for each and every such offense. 

Sec. 3. — Any person or persons who shall engage in fighting, quarrel- 
ing or otherwise creating disturbances, within the limits of said borough, 
shall pay a fine of not less than $5, nor more than $50. 

Sec. 4. — That if any person or persons sentenced by the Burgess to 
pay a fine, under any of the provisions of any sections of this ordinance, 
shall neglect or refuse to pay the same, together with the fees and costs 
thereon, such person may be committed to the borough lock-up for a pe- 
riod to not exceed the time prescribed by law, and the fines together with 
fees and costs, shall be collected by proceedings before a justice of the 
peace. 

No. 11.— STOVE PIPES AND CHIMNEYS. 

Sec. 1. — That no stove pipe shall project from the side or end of any 
building, nor from the roof, and flues and chimneys shall be carried up in a 
safe and secure manner through the building in which they may be placed, 
and their ends shall project through the roof a safe and secure distance, 
not less than three feet ; and flues and chimneys in all cases shall be con- 
structed of brick or fire clay, and where any iron stove pipe passes through 
any floor or partition within any building in the borough, the same shall 
be secured with a double tin, earthen or metal safe, and any person vio- 
lating the provisions of this ordinance, shall forfeit and pay for every 
such offence a fine of $10, and for every week he or they may continue 
this, he or they shall be fined the sum of $20. 

No. 12. —ENTERTAINMENTS AND AMUSEMENTS. 

Sec. 1. — That no person or company of persons, shall exhibit within 



54 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

the limits of the borough, any theatrical or dramatic entertainment or 
shall act, exhibit or perform any opera, circus riding, menagerie or exhi- 
bition of animals, panorama, painting or sculpture, curiosity, trick of 
legerdemain or any other exhibition, entertainment, show or amusement 
of whatever kind or name, for which a reward is asked for and received 
without a license for that purpose, first had and obtained from the Burgess, 
which said license shall express for what it was granted, and the time it is 
to continue. The amount of said license shall not be less than $3, nor 
more than $25 for e<tch and every day. or part of a day, that the same may 
be exhibited. The amounts of the license shall be determined by the an- 
nexed schedule, provided that lectures on scientific or literary subjects, 
exhibitions or fairs of painting or statuary, given or made by citizens of 
the borough, and musical parties or concerts for benevolent or charitable 
purpose, no license shall be required. Schedule of prices for each particu- 
lar kind of show. Circuses, 520 ; menageries, $20; circus ai.d menagerie 
combined, $25; theatrical or dramatical entertainment, $3 ; opera, $5 ; pan- 
orama, painting, legerdemain, concert or any other entertainment, show 
or amusement of whatever name or nature, not above mentioned $3. 

Sec. 2. — No person, shall act, exhibit, show or perform any indecent, 
obscene or blasphemous play, farce, opera, public exhibition, show or en- 
tertainment. 

Sec. 3. — Any person violating any provision, law or ordinance con- 
tained in either the first or second section of this ordinance, shall upon con- 
viction thereof, be fined not less than $10 nor more than $200. 

No. 13.— RIDING AND DRIVING. 

Sec 1. — That any person who shall allow a horse, mare, gelding or 
mule to stand upon a street, alley or highway of the borough, and leave 
the same without being securely fastened to post or other hitching place, 
shall in case any animal runs away, pay a fine of not less than $5 or more 
than $25 besides the making good of any damages the said horse, mare, 
gelding or mule may have done while from under the control of such per- 
son, provided the above fine shall not be imposed when the owner or 
driver of such horse, mare, gelding or mule shall be with any of the said 
animals and shall have lost control of the same. 

Sec. 2. — That it shall be unlawful for any person or persons to drive 
or ride faster than a trotting gait any horse, mare, gelding or mule, 
through any streets, alleys or highways of this borough, and any person 
or persons so offending shall be fined not less than $5 nor more than ^20 
for each and every offence. 

No. 14. — auctioneers and pedlars. 

Sec. 1.— That it shall be unlawful for any auctioneer, street vender 
or pedlar to expose for sale his or their wares or merchandise without 
first procuring a license from the Burgess at $2 per day, or any fraction 
thereof. 

Sec. 2.— That all hucksters and pedlars, ottering for sale any kind of 
produce, shall first procure from the Burgess a license at not less than $10 
per year, provided this ordinance does not include persons selling produce 
of their own production. 



AXD EDENBURG PEOPLE. 55 

No. 15.— ANIMALS AT LARGE. 

Sec. 1.— That it shall be unlawful for any person owning hogs or 
swine within this borough, to permit the same to run at large in any pub- 
lic street, lane or alley, within the bwrough, and all persons so offending 
by permitting their hogs or swine to run at large as aforesaid, shall pay a 
fine of $1 for each of said animals permitted to run at large in the public 
streets, as aforesaid, said fines to be collected in like manner as fines for 
violating other borough ordinances. 

Sec. 2.— That the high constable or any private citizen of the bor- 
ough is hereby authorized and empowered to take up and keep in a place 
of safety, any hog or swine running at large within the limits of said bor- 
ough, and to notify the Burgess of the same, who shall cause five days no- 
tice publicly thereof to be given by two or more printed or written hand 
bills, put up in public places within the limits of said borough, and should 
then no owner appear to claim the same and pay the fines and expenses, 
the said Burgess at the end of the five days shall cause the said hogs or 
swine to be sold at public outcry to the highest bidder and at the best 
price he can obtain, and after deducting the fines and expenses shall hand 
over the balance of the proceeds, if any remain to the treasurer of the 
public schools of said borough, taking his receipt for the same, and it, 
with a statement of his whole proceedings in the matter to the Secretary 
to be examined and passed by them previous to being placed on record. 

No. 16.— TAXING DOGS. 

Sec. 1.— That the assessor and collector of said borough shall, within 
ten days after the passing of these ordinances, and annually thereafter, 
levy and collect a tax from the owner or owners, possessor or possessors of 
one dog or pup, $1, and from the owner or owners, possessor or possessors 
of more than one dog or pup $1 additional for each. * * * 

No. 17.— DRUNKENNESS. 

Sec. 1 — That it shall be the duty of the high constable, or any po- 
lice officer, to arrest any and every person who shall be found intoxicated, 
in any street, alley, lane or public highway, or in any public place, where 
strong or spiritous liquors, wines, ale or beer is sold, and to take him be- 
fore any justice of the peace, or before the Burgess ot this borough, and if 
the. justice of the peace or Burgess shall, after due inquiry, deem him or 
her too much intoxicated to be fully examined, or to answer on oath cor- 
rectly, the Burgess or justice of the peace shall cause him or her to be con- 
fined in the lock-up until he or she becomes sober, and then to be brought 
before the Burgess or justice of the peace, and fined not less than S3 nor 
more Than $20, and if said offender shall refuse to pay said fine, with fees 
and costs thereon, such person shall be committed to the lock-up for the 
period of forty-eight hours, and then brought before the Burgess or justice 
of the peace, and interrogated under oath or affirmation as to the cause of 
intoxication, and thus ascertain from whom he or she obtained the liquor 
which caused such drunkenness. 

No. 18, — FINES, FEES AND COSTS. 

Sec. 1.— That all fines and forfeitures under the provisions of the or- 
dinances of the borough of Edenburg, shall be recovered by a summary 



56 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBTTRG 

conviction before the Burgess, and in all cases of conviction, the party 
convicted shall be liable to pay, in addition to the fines, or forfeiture, the 
legal fees and costs which have accrued in the case. 

Sec. 2. — In case any person or persons, sentenced by the Burgess, 
under the provisions of any ordinance, shall refuse to pay the fine to- 
gether with the fees and costs thereon, such persons may be committed 
to the lock-up for the period of forty-eight hours, and the tine together 
with the fees and costs may be collected by proceedings before any justice 
of the peace. 

Sec. 3. — Fees and costs of the Burgess, high constable and policemen 
shall be the same as those prescribed by law for justices of the peace and 
constables of this commonwealth for like services, provided that the bor- 
ough shall in no case be liable for the costs and fees of such officers. 

Sec. 4. — If any person shall in any manner interfere with or obstruct 
any officer or other person acting under the authority of the borough in 
the discharge of his duty, or shall resist the execution or enforcement of 
any ordinance of this borough or resolution of the council, such person 
shall pay a fine of not less than $10 nor more than $100. 

No. 19. — TO PREVENT SALE OR USE OF FIRE CRACKERS, TORPEDOES, ETC. 

Sec. 1. — That no merchant, druggist, confectioner or other person 
shall sell or dispose of any explosive compound, manufactured from gun- 
powder or minerals or any other explosive substance, to be used as fire 
crackers, torpedoes or in like manner, and tending to injure or annoy any 
person or their property. 

Sec 2. — It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to burn or in 
any manner use any fire crackers, .rockets or tire works so called, within 
the limits of said borough. 

Sec. 3. — That any person or persons offending against any of the pro- 
visions of section 1 or 2, this ordinance shall upon conviction thereof, be 
fined by the Burgess, in any sum, not less than $5 nor more than $25, and 
may be imprisoned in the lock-up or county jail not exceeding forty-eight 
hours for each and every such offence. 

No. 20.— ANIMALS IMPOUNDED. 

Sec. 1. — That it shall be unlawful for any person or persons to inter- 
fere with or take out any animal from the borough pound, without having 
proper authority to do so ; any person or persons so offending, shall be 
fined not less than $5 nor more than $20, and the pound master is hereby 
authorized to proceed against persons who have so offended. 

No. 21.--NITRO GLYCERINE. 

Sec. 1.— It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to carry, or 
store, or have in his or her possession, within the limits of said borough 
any nitro glycerine or other explosive compound. Provided that when 
necessary to torpedo oil wells within the limits of said borough, a special 
permit may be obtained from the Burgess for said purpose under the reg- 
ulations prescribed in said permit. Any person or persons violating the 
provisions of this ordinance shall be fined not less than $50. nor more than 
$300, at the discretion of the Burgess, 



AND EDENBTTRG PEOPLE. 57 

No. 22. — SIGN BOARDS. 

Sec. 1. — That no sign shall be hung lower than eight feet above the 
sidewalk. 

No. 23.— SALOONS AND BILLIARD ROOMS. 

Sec. 1. — All drinking saloons, billiard rooms and bars shall be closed 
at or before 12 o'clock, p. m., and remain closed until 5 o'clock, A. M., the 
following day. under penalty of $10 for the first offence and $20 for each 
subsequent one. 

No. 24.— NUISANCES. 

Sec. 1. — No person shall plane or cast any earth, brick, stone, coal, 
wood, filth, ashes, mortar, lime, shavings, ploughs, manufactured articles, 
merchandise, or substance of any kind (except articles for the purpose of 
immediately loading or unloading, removing or stowing away) on any. 
square, street, sidewalk or alley within the borough, under a penalty of 
not less than 53 nor more than $30, and the expense of removing the same, 
if the same shall be removed by the street commissioner — provided, that 
this section shall not apply to building material or other obstruction auth- 
orized by proper permit from the Burgess, nor to materials used in laying 
or repairing sidewalks. 

Sec. 2. — Any person who shall place any wagon, cart, sled, sleigh or 
other vehicle, or horses or any animals thereto attached on any of the 
crossings at the intersection of any of the streets and alleys of the bor- 
ough shall forfeit and pay a fine of not less than $1, nor more than $5, for 
each and every such offense. 

Sec. 3. — Any person who shall place any wagon, cart, dray or car- 
riage of any kind whatever, in any public square or street within the bor- 
ough, and shall suffer the same to remain more than twenty-four hours, 
excepting for tlie purpose of loading or unloading, on being convicted 
thereof, shall forfeit and pay for such offense a fine of not less than $1 or 
more than $5, excepting all persons remaining over Sunday, who shall re- 
move the same the day following. 

Sec. 4. — The occupant or possessor of any lot within the borough, 
shall, when required by notice from the street commissioner, remove all 
wood, coal, ashes, barrels, boxes or any other obstructions, which may be 
without legal authority on the sidewalk, squares, streets or alleys, in 
front of, or adjoining the lot occupied by such persons, from and off the 
said sidewalks, squares, streets or alleys, and any person neglecting or re- 
fusing to remove the same, shall forfeit and pay a fine of not less than $3 
nor more than $15 for each and every offense. 

Sec 5 * ***** 

Sec. 6. — Any person who shall keep or suffer to remain on his prem- 
ises, or upon any private property, any dead carcasss or garbage, offal, 
putrid meat, nauseous liquor, or other offensive or unwholesome matter, 
or shall cast the same on any vacant lot or upon any square, lot or piece 
of ground belonging to the borough, or any street or alley within the bor- 
ough, or so near the limits thereof as to annoy and be offensive, the same 
is hereby declared to be a common nuisance and shall be removed accord- 



58 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 

ingly and the person offending shall forfeit and pay for each offense, be- 
sides the expense of removing the same, the sum of not less than SI nor 
more than $20. All the above ordinances ordained and enacted into laws 
in Town Council assembled. 

P. F. KRIBBS, Burgess. 
J. B. Paixter, Secretary, Pro Tem. 

1877, Council same as 1876. 

1878, William Selby, Esq., Burgess; Council, M. E. Hess. J. Sheridan 
W. M. Kirkpatrick, H. F. Whiting, Robert Bowman and S. L. Herron. 

1879, J. K. Wilson, Esq., Burgess; Council, H. R. Burgess, C. A. 
Wheelock, P. F. Kribbs, H. F. Whiting. John Watson and S. Best. 

1880, M. E. Hess, Burgess; Council, F. E. Gairett, Frank Jarris, 
Allen McLean, W. B. Weaver and D. W. Lewi*. 

1881 C. A. Wheelock, Burgess; Council, G. S. Hamm,F. C. Jarvis, 
Thomas Travers, J. M. Mong, R. W. Smith and G. M. Cushing. 

1882, H. J. Bethune, Burgess ; Council, J. M. Bethune, W. O'Day, F. 
E. Garrett. G. M. Cushing, Samuel Best and R. W. Smith. 

1883, H. J. Bethune, Burgess; Council, Allen McLean, Robt. White- 
hill, R. W. Smith, Josiah Dobson, G. M. Cushing. T. W. West. 

1884, M. E. Hess, Burgess ; Council, P. F. Kribbs, T. Easley, P. 
Spargo, Miles Feely, Robert Whitehill and Josiah Dobson. 

1885, F. M. Denniston, Burgess; Council, Robert Whitehill, P, F. 
Kribbs, M. E. Hess, A. J. Smith and M. L. Rose. 

1886, F. M. Denniston. Burgess; Council, J. R. Neeley, A. J. Smith, 
P. F. Kribbs, J. M. Brothers, M. L. Rose and J. I. Patterson. 

1887, F. M. Denniston, Burgess; Council, J. M. Brothers, M. L.Rose. 
A. J. Smith, J. R. Neeley, M. H. Marcus andT. Harvey Jolly. 

The City Fathers, in the last year, have graded 
the principal streets and cobble-stoned them, beside re- 
pairing the old sidewalks and building new. They have 
also opened up Penn Avenue, which now extends to the 
hill west of town through the borough addition ; also 
the extension of Railroad street, running parallel with 
Penn Avenue and crossing Kribbs, Mendenhall and Best 
streets at right angles. 

To show the income from different sources in the 
early history of the borough, we quote the Auditors Re- 
port of April 1878, which was as follows : 

Licenses * 1.088 25 

Taxes 366 8° 

Collection of fines 1.884 52 

Total S 3,339 57 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 59 

The streets were exceedingly bad in the early his- 
tory of the borough, there being so much heavy hauling. 
They were planked and repaired in the summer of 1877, 
to a large extent, by the property owners. The Coun- 
cil was to keep up repairs. 



JOURNALISM. 

Mr. J. M. Gilford came to Edenburg in December, 
1876, from Pleasant ville, Pa, He, with his accom- 
plished wife and pleasant little family, was warmly wel- 
comed. His object in coming was to start a daily paper, 
and December 12th, 1876, was issued the first number 
of the Edenburg Herald. "Independent in politics, 
neutral in nothing/' was its motto. 

SALUTATORY. 

As we take uo our pen to write this article, the great responsibility 
of successfully editing and publishing- a newspaper seems to fill our mind 
with the great importance of the work as never before. 

As we look back at the record of names, whose owners have gone 
down in trying to stem the tide of newspaper life, our heart beats quick 
with anxiety and we gladly turn our eyes and look hopefully to the fu- 
ture, and knowing by experience that as we have put our hand to the plow 
and shoulder to the wheel, we must not (neither would we if we could) 
look back, but with a steady hand and a firm purpose, push manfully for- 
ward. And as we send our little sheet out into the world, we bid it God 
speed, and pray that its mission for good and diffusion of knowledge may 
be realized. For the "Herald" and ourself we make but few promises, 
but rather prefer that our representative may speak for itself. Our inten- 
tion has been and is to make this a live local paper for Edenburg, Elk 
City and surrounding country. But we do promise that while the "Her- 
ald" is under our control nothing that will bring a blush to any cheek 
shall ever mar its pages, neither will we ever bow to rings or combina- 
tions in any form or manner; but treat evil as we see it, and reward the 
good by an approving word. To our brothers of the craft, here's our prof- 
fered hand, and to all true and friendly brothers who are willing to ac- 
cept, our heart goes with it, J. M. GIFFORD. 

We insert many quotations from this number of the 
Herald to refresh the memory of the early settlers of the 



60 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

towu, who remember the joyful occasi on when the first 
Herald appeared. 

A WORD ON THE PART OF THE EDITOR. 

In presenting this initial number of the Herald, we cannot refrain from 
saying a word in justification of ourselves in regard to the delay experi- 
enced by our patrons, and no less we assure you, by us. It has been some 
weeks since the Herald was promised to the public; and as soon as the en- 
terprise was announced the business men of Edenburg and Elk City cheer- 
fully responded with a willing and lucrative support. To these we owe 
an explanation. It was our earnest intention to have issued the Herald 
promptly: but at the time we commenced the undertaking the roads be- 
came nearly impassable and it was almost impossible to obtain freight of 
any kind, and the annoyance to us, caused by the delay in securing ma- 
terial, was equal if not greater than the anxiety experienced on the part of 
our patrons. Besides this we can fairly and conscientiously attribute a por- 
tion of the delays to the blundering manner in which some of our orders 
were filled. But we console ourselves in the old adage which says : 
'There's always a calm after a storm," and we congratulate ourselves on 
having emerged from the confusion as bright as a new dollar. Thanking 
our patrons for their patience and forbearance, and for their already lib- 
eral patronage, to which our columns will attest, we conclude, trusting 
that no unneccessary inconveniences will occur in the future. 

In this Herald we find the report of the first bor- 
ough election, which resulted as follows : 

Burgess— P. F. Kribbs; Town Council. — John I. Best, Robert Bryan. 
Ezekiel W. Crabbe, J. Benjamin Painter. Daniel J. Wynkoop, John L. Cal- 
lihan ; Justices of the Peace— Nehemiah Brown. Robert J. Atwell ; School 
Directors— William C. B. Davis, 3 years; John I. Best, 3 years; Erie W. 
Northrop, 2 years : Gilmore S. Hamm, 2 years; John M. Gifford, 1 year; 
John W. Phillips, 1 year; Assessor— James Alexander Palm ; Assistant 
Assessors— Husrh Amo, George H. Tucker ; Constable — Jacob Vedder ; 
High Constable— Thomas Scott ; Auditors— George W. Connely, 3 years ; 
John D. Wolf, 2 years ; Wilbur S. Brown, 1 year; Overseers of Poor— Jas. 
M.Williams. Frank Jarvis; Judge of Election— Joshua M. George ; In- 
spectors of Election— John Barnard, George A. Clarke. 

The whole number of votes polled was 207. 

The trial of the Goodwin-Akin case is given in full 
in this issue of the Herald. We reprint it for the 
benefit of those who were acquainted with the circum- 
stances, and to show the state of morals with a certain 
class at that early settlement of the borough. 



AND EDEXBUPG PEOPLE. (jl 

[Quotation from the Herald.] 
THE GOODWIN- AKIN CASE. THE TRIAL, VERDICT AND SENTENCE 
Owing to a pressure of business we were unable to attend the Quarter 
Sessions of the County Court, which met at Clarion on last Monday, conse- 
quently are unable to give the proceedings ; but suffice it to give a synop- 
sis of the trial of the Goodwin-Akin case, much of which is taken from the 
clever report of the correspondent of the Daily Derrick. 

It will be remembered that on the 8th day of November, an altercation 
took place at the "rvialto Hotel and Restaurant" between Geo. W. Akin, an 
oil operator, and a man named Badger, of Emlenton, and during the melee 
a man named William Goodwin came to his death by apistol shot fired by 
said Akin. The report says, in substance, as follows: On Saturday the 
2d inst., the case of the Commonwealth vs. George W. Akin was called, 
and after some difficulty in getting a proper jury, six jurymen and six tales- 
man were sworn in and the case continued until Monday. 

The following named jury was impanneled : Joun M. Fulton, S. L. 
George, Benjamin Fulton, Hiram Wing, William P. Miller, C. L. Fulton] 
Wm. H. Frazier, Chambers Yingling John Hilbert, Wm. Fork urn Albert 
Rhea and T. C. Wilson. 

The indictment contained three counts, the first of which is murder, 
the charge being that Akin shot and killed William Goodwin during an 
affray with Charles Badger, Rialto Hotel, Edenburg, on the night of No- 
vember 8th. Defendant plead not guilty to each of the counts. The Com- 
monwealth was represented by District Attorney, David Lawson, Esq., 
Hon. James Compbell, J B. Knox and James Maffett. Akin was defended 
by Wm. L. Corbett, S. K. Clark, Wilson & Jenks, B. J. Reid and A. B. 
Richmond. 

When court opened, Charles Badger was the first witness for the pros- 
ecution. He testified that he was stopping at the Rialto Hotel in Eden- 
burg, on the night of the 8th of November last ; the election was on Tues- 
day previous ; I had made a bet with Callihan and Richardson ; after hav- 
ing made the bet Akin came in ; he offered to bet and pulled out a roll of 
bills; wanted to bet one thousand dollars on the result of the election ; 
never met him before that night ; did not want to bet with him ; repeated 
his proposition twice; I finally said I guess I will have to take that bet ; 
Akin wrote a check for one thousand dollars ; I did the same ; the checks 
were given to Ford, one of the hotel proprietors; Akin remarked he would 
like to bet five thousand ; I offered him twenty-five dollars for the option 
of the bet till next morning; William Goodwin was there and offered to 
cash a checK for me; Akin's friends came around ; he then declined to give 
me the privilege of the option ; I said all right, and reached for my twen- 
ty-five dollar check ; I received a check which I destroyed without look- 
ing at it; afterward Akin held up a check, and said, 'see here wnat he is 
giving me, boys, a twenty-five dollar for a one thousand dollar check ;" I 
sat down to replace the $1,000 check which had been destroyed in mistake ; 
Mr. Akin got excited and said I thought he was a "Stunner;" I replied I 
was a stranger, but was a gentleman and did not want to fight ; I pulled 
off my overcoat ; Akin appeared in front of me, and I grabbed him by the 
collar, we had a struggle and I got him down ; up to this time there wa- 



62 COMPENDIUM OF EDEN BURG 

no striking on either side ; I said to him, "we must stop this, I am ashamed 
of myself and you too, but you must behave yourseli and quit this or I will 
tramp the whole head off you ;" he replied that he would ; I got off and 
stood up ; he grabbed an air gun and struck me; the gun was taken from 
him, I warded off the blow ; he called for glasses and threw them ; I re- 
ceived a portion of one in my face ; I went for him, got Akin down on the 
floor ; he was lying on his back ; I was crouching over him ; think I struck 
him with my right hand ; my left hand had him by the shoulder or region 
of the throat; saw a revolver in his hand and said, "this man has a revolv- 
er;" put my hand over his and held his hand down to the floor; he was 
wrenching his hand down to get loose ; there was a severe struggle and I 
lost my hold ; I dropped my head and there was an explosion took place ; 
the first thing I saw then was Goodwin throwing up his hands and falling 
back ; had another struggle with him after the explosion ; I was somewhat 
excited; I remember some one took hold of me and I was in the wash 
room, my face was covered with blood where the glass had hit me. 

Cross-examined. — Goodwin was an old friend of mine ; fight took 
place between 12 and 1 o'clock; Akin claimed I had destroyed the 
$1,000 check; I have never seen either of the checks since ; 1 took off my 
coat and advanced one or two steps ; did not see him take off his coat ; 
we were not apart at any one time during the fight to exceed three feet ; 
did not hear him say "keep off," when I advanced the second time ; after I 
had got him down I struck him in the face once ; heard him say, "take him 
off' or I'll shoot ;" do not recollect saying,"I will kill him," was on top of him 
holding him down when he shot ; my face was about six inches from his: 
I never said the shooting was accidental ; I made information in the case. 

The balance of the testimony on the part of the commonwealth was 
virtually a corroboration of Badger's sworn testimony, when the common- 
wealth rested and the defense called O. L. Hart, who testified as follows : 
Was an actor at Wildman's opera house ; that night our place was closed 
and I was in the other theatre; left there at half-past twelve with McCoy, 
Smith, Rivers and Gibbs ; heard a scuffle at the Rialto, went over ; saw 
two men fighting ; one had the other down on a ban-el or box ; heard 
three or four blows in rapid succession ; was told it was Badger and Akin, 
heard Badger say to Akin : "Now squeal or I'll beat the life out of you," 
they struggled to their feet; Akin's face was bleeding; Akin leaned 
against the bar with right arm resting on it ; Akin said : "Keep away 
from me, you are a bigger man than 1 am, keep away from me ;" Badger 
advanced toward him; Akin stepped back, still saying : "Keep away, 
keep away ;" Akin seized an air gun; Ford took it from him; Badger 
caught him by the right arm and pinned him to the counter ; Akin reached 
back with his left hand and threw two or three bottles; the first one hit 
Williams in the face; Badger caught his hand as he threw the third and 
said "I will kill you;" Rivers came up to interfere andBotsford put him out 
ot the house ; followed them to the door ; came back and Badger had 
Akin down again ; heard Akin say, "let me up ;" Badger was striking 
him; Akin said, "take him off" several times, then he said, "get off' me or 
I'll shoot you ;" Badger replied, "you have a pistol have you?" Akin 
said, "yes and I'll use it if you don't get off me ;" then Badger repeated 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 63 

again, "I'll kill you ;" saw the glimmer of a pistol two or three times; 
there wasa struggle for it; couldn't tell who had it ; Goodwin was stand- 
ing near the door ; several cried "separate them, take the pistol from 
them !" Several were stooping over them when the pistol was discharged; 
Goodwin had made a step forward ; their heads were towar i him, and he 
was five or six feet from them ; Goodwin fell back and said, "My God, I 
am shot;" I went for Dr. Kea, he was on the porch; said he would not 
come in as they had fire arms ; Dalton answered from the inside, "I have 
the pistol ;" Goodwin was still in the room; was then canned upstairs; 
after the shooting I heard Akin say, "I told him to get oft" me or I would 
shoot him, I warned him to get off and I had to do it." Akin went out on 
the stoop, stood there a few minutes then crossed the street; I was close 
to him ; while under the balcony heard him say nothing about the shoot- 
ing; I heard Badger say to Mcvlanus, "this is a terrible affair; a terrible 
accident ; I had my hand on the pistol when it went off." 

Cross-examined. — I saw Akin at the theatre that night ; the fight was 
going on when we went to the Rialto ; saw the man on top striking; I 
never saw Badger before 

Defense rests. 

Nothing materially different from the foregoing was brought out in 
rebuttal and sur-rebuttal, and the testimony closed, when the court ad- 
journed. 

Court convened at 8 o clock, a. m., Wednesday morning, when Jas. 
Campbell, on the part of the commonwealth, and W. JL. Corbett, for the 
defense, argued the law to the court, and cited the authorties to sustain the 
position assumed by each. District Attorney Lawson made the first argu- 
ment to the jury for the prosecution. W. L. Corbett and A. B. Richmond, 
Esq., addressed the jury on behalf of the defendant. James Campbell 
closed the case for the commonwealth In their argument these gentle- 
men thoroughly reviewed the evidence on both sides and plead earnestly 
for conviction or acquittal, consuming the entire day. Court adjourned at 
6 p. M., and convened again at 7.30. His Honor, Judge Jenksthen charged 
the jury briefly and fairly ; saying that while the commonwealth did not 
seek conviction of murder in the first degree, it did for murder in the sec- 
ond, or voluntary manslaughter ; the defense claiming that it was self- 
defense or at most excusable homicide. In the latter case it would be in- 
voluntary manslaughter and no conviction under indictment could be 
had. The jury then retired with instructions that if they found a verdict 
betore morning they could be conducted to their quarters at the Loomis 
House, butthat they should not separate. In the morning it was found 
that they had agreed and they were taken to the Loomis House for break- 
fast, thence to the court room, where a large number of people, including 
many ladies, anxious to hear the verdict, had already assembled, when 
the jury returned as follows: "Guilty of voluntary manslaughter." 
Counsel for defense at once made a motion for a new trial, when the court 
stated the motion would be heard on Saturday. At the time appointed 
the court heard the argument for new trial, but failed to concur with the 
learned counsel and was refused a new trial. The court in addressing the 
prisoner, stated that the extent of the penalty was not exceeding twelve 
years solitary confinement in the penitentiary, and then sentenced him to 



64 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

pay a fine of eight hundred dollars and undergo an imprisonment of two 
years and six months in the Western Penitentiary where he was conduct- 
ed by Sheriff Beck, yesterday (Monday) morning. Thus ended the case. 
In concluding this sad rehearsal of an affray that could scarce have ended 
worse, we are compelled to make a few remarks in regard to the melan- 
choly affair. George W. Akin is a young man in the prime of life, pos- 
sessed of considerable worldly means, and might to-day, had he avoided 
bad company, be enjoying life in luxury, honored and esteemed by 
friends, and unharmed by foes ; but instead he chose to do otherwise in 
defiance of good advice and the example of good men, and the result is— a 
prison cell. Mr. Akin and his friends have the sympathies of the entire 
community in his misfortunes, and let us hope that he may live to return 
a better and wiser man. And may we hope that the lesson taught in this 
case, may be a warning to the many young men in our midst, who persist 
in the same follies. May they turn their back on vice and sternly and man- 
fully face virtue in all things and at all times ; for through this channel, 
alone, can life be truly enjoyed and happiness in the next secured, 

At this date, from December 9th to 12th, crude 
oil opened the week at §3.60 j closed at §4.00. 

[Quotation from the Herald. J 
The week just passed has been an interesting one to producers. It 
had been apparent for some days past that the oil market must take a rise 
soon, but few really expected oil to come to four dollars. For days, per- 
haps weeks yet, and, doubtless by the present outlook it will remain near 
these figures for a time to come. But we do not hesitate to predict that 
the market will fall again below these figures, as four dollar oil to a ma- 
jority of producers means "sell." Our advice is sell only as much as is re- 
quired to meet present emergencies and hold for better prices. There is 
no reason why oil should not reach its real value if producers will act 
wisely and be firm in their demands. Production is falling off in all parts 
of the country. All the new strikes are small, and the eonsum jtion near- 
ly equals the production. But a short time can elapse before the balance 
will turn the other way and oil must go up unless new and heavy produc- 
ing territory is discovered. The prospect for such an event taking place 
is not very evident. The market opened yesterday at S3. 85, and closed at 
$4.00. Clarion market, 11 A. M., to-day, quoted at SI. 10. United Spot, Oil 
City, at $4.22%. Shipment, Oil City, at $4.00. Antwerp market closed 
yesterday, for refined, at 00 lrancs. New York, for refined, at 35 cent-. 

Having quoted quite extensively "from the first is- 
sue of the Edcnburg Herald, we now propose to speak 
of the editor. J. M. Gifford and family came to Eden- 
burg from Pleasantville, Pa. He founded the ILt<iI<1 
and built quite a comfoftabk' home. The paper had a 
large circulation and the office turned out a great amount 
of job work. Prosperity attended him until January 



AXD EDEXBUEG PEOPLE. 65 

oth, 1877. At that date the M. E. church was de- 
stroyed by fire, and, to prevent further destruction, Mr. 
Gifford's house and office, which adjoined the church, 
were torn down. He rebuilt immediately. In Febru- 
ary of the same year, a very interesting little son was 
taken from the family circle. We here insert some ex- 
pressions of sympathy from the writer of this book, 
written after Johnnie's death. 

[Copied from Daily Herald, of February 25th, 1887.] 

DEDICATED TO MR. AND MRS. GIFFOKD. 

It is the mid hour of night, while all nature is seemingly wrapped in 
silent repose, and naught is to be heard save the heavy tramp of the 
watchman as he walks to and fro, to see if 'all is well;" but the Great 
Watchman knows all that is transpiring within the wal Is of the palace or 
the cottage, yea, even the thoughts ofo^r hearts. He knows what an- 
guish of soul some fond and loving heart may be experiencing each mo- 
ment. Last night when all was quiet and the pale moon shone with her 
silvery rays, we might have taken a glance into the quiet chamber of a 
friend, and have seen the silent teardrop from the eyes of fond and lov- 
ing parents, as they held vigils over the delicate form of their darling 
Johnnie. At each throe of pain of the little sufferer might be heard a cor- 
responding sigh from them. Their anxiety of soul none but an affection- 
ate and loving parent can comprehend. The night waned and the morn- 
ing dawned. The kind angel came and took the spirit of the little sufferer 
home to himself, there to dwell forever. The little rose-bud has been 
plucked from the parent's home only to be transplanted in a fairer and 
more congenial clime. While they weep for his absence from the little 
home circle they fully realize that Johnnie is where neither disease or 
pain can reach him, and they know that they have one more tie in 
Heaven. 

While he quietly sleeps in his little bed, 

Softly rests his weary, delicate head, 

He is done with the sins and sorrows of life, 

Done with all its conflicts and strife, 

Sickness, suffering and pain are o'er 

As he waits for his friends on the other shore. 

Sorrowfully will you glance at the vacant seat, 

Sadly will you wait for the pattering feet, 

Silently will you enter the desolate room ; 

From which his frail form was so recently borne, 

Alas ! he coraeth not, but you will love to think 

That he is waiting for you all, just over the brink. 

Hettie A. Keatley. 
Edenburg, Pa., Sabbath evening, Feb. 25th, 1877, 



66 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 

Mr. Clifford continued the publication of the Her- 
ald with great success. He was burned out twice after- 
ward, but with the co-operation of his active wife he 
continued its publication until his health failed. When 
anything exciting occurred he was in the habit of send- 
ing out two or three extras per day. Close application 
to business and an inherent pre-disposition to consump- 
tion, caused him to fall a prey to that disease. He died 
at the early age of thirty-three years, August 9th, 1880. 
His remains were taken to his early home for interment. 
Mrs. Gilford and their two children, Glenn and Kittie, 
resided with Mrs. Crum, Mr. Gilford's sister, for a long 
time. She finally emigrated to Kansas, where she made 
her home, but only lived a short time, leaving her two 
children orphans. From a life insurance policy which 
she held in one of the orders in Edenburg, she left them 
$1,200. 

In January, 1877, J. Campbell & Son, commenced 
the publication of The Oil Times, a live sheet, both daily 
and weekly. The Campbells were fine chroniclers of 
events and their editorials were up to the highest stand- 
ard. They continued the publication of their paper 
about two years. After Tlie Oil Times and Daily Her- 
ald came the Evening News, published by H. Price. It 
was a tri-weekly and was issued on Tuesdays, Thurs- 
days and Saturdays. After this The Daily Spirit pub- 
lished by J. Ed. Leslie. This gave the oil news while 
it existed. We copy the price of oil from this sheet of 
the issue of February 13th, 1880, at $1.08 J. 

In the summer of 1881, Mr. T. W. West came 
from Clarion, Pa., and commenced the publication of 
the Clarion County National, a weekly, in the interest 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 67 

of the Greenback party. It is quite an addition to the 
town, and an interesting paper, still published by West 
& Son, now in the interest of the labor party. In the 
summer of 1884, Mr. H. Price resumed the journalistic 
profession by the publication of the Clarion County Ob- 
server, in the interest of Blaine and Logan, which is still 
published as a Republican paper. Mr. Price is a good 
printer and a spirited editor. 



BANKS. 

In the fall of 1875, Edenburg began to teel the 
need of a bank. Those who live in a town after it has 
all the necessary institutions to carry on business suc- 
cessfully, can but slightly realize the appreciation of the 
pioneers when an improvement is introduced. Thus it 
was with Edenburgers when a bank was started to hold 
the surplus funds, and a railroad built to carry away the 
production of oil. Messrs. F. Merrick of Cooperstown, 
Pa., and George W. Connelly of Pleasantville, Pa., 
purchased the property owned by Mrs. and Mr. J. A. 
Travis on central Main street, to set up a bank. They 
were ready for business in "The Edenburg Bank" in 
the beginning of 1876. The firm promised fair, the 
people had confidence, consequently all who had earned 
more money than they used, deposited it there for safe- 
ty. Mr. Mendenhall, whose health was then declining, 
in arranging his business for the future, placed large 
amounts there for his wife and children, with a solemn 
promise that it should be cared for as he directed. Alas 
for promises ! The firm gathered in the shekels, lived 
high, drilled oil wells and carried friends for large 



68 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

amounts. Thus time passed on, until one fine June 
morning in 1878, the news was heralded over town, 
"The Edenburg Bank is closed." This scrap of news 
was received much to the dismay of the large depositors 
and equally so to the smaller ones ; for what that class 
had in the bank was their aU. The widow and the 
fatherless, with the aged ones, who had laid by their 
small sums, to help them when they could not help 
themselves, were left to do the best they could, so far as 
the firm of the Edenburg bank was concerned. Even 
forty dollars of the M. E. Sabbath school went with the 
rest. S. Crosby, Esq., was appointed assignee and in 
the spring of 1881, ten cents on the dollar was paid to 
the depositors. In 1877 the Clarion County Bank was 
started on central Main street by Messrs. Dickey, Eccles 
and Crawford, of Franklin, Pa., with E. G. Crawford 
as trustee and cashier. It has been one of the reliable 
institutions of the town ; has done a fine business and 
is still doing well, with the addition of Mr. R. K. Mc- 
Cormick as assistant cashier. One incident, worthy of 
mention with regard to this bank : When the great fire 
of October, 1878, occurred ; when all was confusion, 
and very many suspicious persons were in town, Mr. 
Orie J. Blakely, then assistant cashier, put all the money 
and papers of the bank into a sack, and accompanied on- 
ly by one person, conveyed it through the crowd to his 
own home on the Bower farm. For some time after 
this the bank carried on business in Richardson & Cal- 
lihan's office on Penn avenue. 



THE FIRST RAILROAD. 
This was in February, 1877. The P. & W., nar- 



AXD EDENBURG PEOPLE. 69 

row guage, then Emlenton & Clarion R. R. ? made its 
advent into the then growing town. Its entrance was 
hailed with much "joy and gladness/' by the inhabitants. 
To show the anxiety felt before it came we quote an ar- 
ticle from the Herald just prior to its entry into town : 

"Mr. R. W. Smith, formerly of Lehigh Valley, ticket and freight agent 
on this end of our "little road," was in our office yesterday and said : "The 
cracks in his office floor and walls are so big," and he measured with his 
hands a space about ten inches. ' Can't stand that long this cold weather. 
Shall have our cars into town and permanent buildings up in about twelve 
davs." He informed us the depot will be located about four hundred feet 
north of Cassel & Kinnear's machine shop. This will place it directly east 
of this office. When this is accomplished we shall feel awful big as a town, 
a great deal larger than St. Petersburg or Clarion, and about fifteen-six- 
teenths as big as Pittsburg. 

What do you think about it, you new born Council ? And you, new 
made dispensers of legal (?) justice. 

Mr. R. W. Smith was the first ticket agent and gen- 
eral manager of the railroad business for seven years. 

We quote from the Herald of later date, after the 
Emlenton & Clarion R. R. had been running several 
months. 

ANOTHER RAILROAD TO EDENBURG. 

THE MEETING AT FOXBUBG. 

A meeting was held at the Fox House, at Foxburg, on the 2d inst., by 
the friends of the proposed narrow gauge railroad from Foxburg to Eden- 
burg. From the enterprising character of the gentlemen present we think 
we are safe in predicting that at an early day our town will again be pene- 
trated by a narrow gauge. A correspondent of the Daily Derrick furnishes 
the following list of persons present at the meeting, and who are interested 
in the enterprise: Barney Vensel, James M. Guffey, J. B. McElwaine, J. 
Ashbaugh, Charles Vensel, C. King, A. Myers, J. Akin, J. V. Ritts, Cashier 
of St. Petersburg Savings Bank, G W. Butt, Charles Blakeslee, Captain 
Chalfant, A. W. Smiley, W. C. Mobley, Superintendent of the Parker and 
Karns City Railroad, Wm. Fox, Squire Fullerton, Capt. McCray, J. Mande- 
ville and S. G. Bayne. The object of the meeting was briefly stated after 
which James M. Guffey was elected chairman, and J. B. McElwaine, sec- 
retary. The chair then stated his views, after which there followed a gen- 
eral interchange of opinions. A motion then carried that a subscription of 
one thousand dollars be raised to defray the expenses of a preliminary sur- 
vey to Edenburg, Foxburg pledging four hundred dollars and St. Peters- 
burg six hundred. A committee was then appointed to collect the one 
thousand dollars, with instructions to employ a competent staff of engi- 



70 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 

neers to make the survey. The meeting then adjourned to meet at the call 
of the Committee for the purpose of considering the report of the engineers. 

This was preliminary, but the road was shortly made 
from Foxburg to connect with the Emlenton <£ Clarion 
road at Jefferson station. For a considerable time after 
the road was laid Edenburg was the terminus, but soon 
the cry was "On to Clarion !" Sometime after the road 
ran to Clarion the track from Emlenton to Jefferson was 
abandoned and the travel has since been from Foxburg 
to Clarion. About four years since, the road was ex- 
tended to Kane. Mr. P. W. Smith, who came in with 
the narrow gauge, was a man whom every one respected, 
with his excellent wife and interesting family. When 
he was about to leave for Kane, Pa., his present home, 
his gentlemen friends presented him with a valuable gold 
watch as a testimonial of their appreciation of his worth. 

About the same time Mr. Smith came, Mr. L. D. 
Crandall, wife and interesting son, Harry, came. Mr. 
Crandall manipulated the express for several years and 
had a pleasant home on Penn avenue. Mr. and Mrs. 
Crandall were proverbial for their superior social quali- 
ties. When they went to the upper oil field they left a 
vacant place in the social circle which- it would be dim- 
cult to fill. 

Mr. Campbell, general manager of the P. e\: W. 

Railroad, lived on Penn avenue for sometime, and he and 
his amiable wife were a great accession to society. Mr. 
E. E. Boyd had charge of the business for quite a long 
time. He, with his wife and interesting little folks, re- 
side on east State street. Mr. P. Cullis, who had charge 
of affairs at the depot during the last year, with his ac- 
complished young wife and babe, have gone to Chicago 
to live, where he will fill a more lucrative position and 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 71 

not so much hard work. The best wishes of the many 
friends made while here go with them to their new 
home. At present Mr. Mahan is stationed in the depot. 



PERSONAL CHRONICLES. 

In the spring of 1877, there was a large emigra- 
tion to Edenburg. Many fine citizens came and brought 
their families and built nice residences. Among them 
was J. T. Wilson, formerly cashier of the First National 
Bank of Sharon, Pa. He built a nice residence on west 
State street, and was active in business circles and in the 
church, as were also his wife and daughters. When all 
seemed happy a shadow fell upon the home circle in the 
death of an interesting little daughter. 

"Sooner or later the storms do beat 
Over her slumber, from head to feet ; 
Sooner or later the winds do rave, 
In the long grass above her grave." 

The parents do not forget their child, although in 
their far western home, their thoughts oft revert to the 
little mound in the Shippenville cemetery. In the spring 
of 1883, Mr. Wilson, not having realized his anticipa- 
tions in the oil field, went west, has located at Fergus 
Falls, Minnesota, where he and his interesting family 
are now enjoying prosperity and happiness. The Wil- 
son residence was purchased by Mr. J. McCormick, who 
after improving it resides in it. Mrs. McCormick has 
her pleasant home adorned with a great variety of the 
choicest plants. It presents a vernal appearance all the 
year round. Miss Mary is an interesting young lady, 
uncommonly studious, and is destined to be a brilliant 
scholar, Joseph, John, Nannie and baby are all at- 



72 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 

tractive. W. W. Mason, Esq., of Mercer, Pa., built 
him a nice residence beside that of Mr. Wilson. His 
was a pleasant home, with his excellent wife and accom- 
plished daughter Anna. Esq. Mason was proverbial 
for many social qualities, but especially for being the 
tallest man in the town, and Mrs. Mason for being the 
smallest lady. N. N. Booth, Esq., purchased the Ma- 
son property and has recently improved it, until it is 
among the finest wooden structures in the town. Pre- 
sided over by his excellent wife and daughter Alfaretta. 
Esq. Booth has been in different kinds of business here 
for several years. Has had considerable interest in the 
Cogley oil field. At present he has a large carriage fac- 
tory in the old "Clarion House." Mr. F. H. Whiting, 
of the Oak Shade Oil Company, built a lovely residence 
on Penn avenue. His yard was beautifully terraced and 
planted with the choicest flowers and shrubbery and lie 

had lived in it but a short time until it was consumed 

• 

by fire. Mr. and Mrs. Whiting were pleasant acces- 
sions to the very refined society of that period, but Mr. 
Whiting's health had failed, and after much medical skill 
has been exhausted and travel to different parts, with 
much time spent in the salubrious climate of Florida, he 
is still a confirmed invalid, who has the sympathy of all 
his friends. Mr. J. A. Travis, after selling his home 
to the firm of Messrs. Merrick & Connelly, had pur- 
chased a property in Mongtown for a time. It Vas 
there in September, 1877, that his younger brother, 
Linus R. Travis, died of malarial fever. Linus was a 
young man of superior character, quiet, retiring and as 
was remarked by the aged minister who attended his 
funeral : "There lies the remains of a young man who 



AND EDENBUEG PEOPLE. 73 

has left the record of a spotless life." A life although 
ever so pure is a lost love to earthly frieucls. 

"But hope consoleth hearts that weep or bleed, 
O'er broken ties, in desolated bowers, 
With the lovely thought that the loves 
Of earth are holy, and survive in heaven, 
Where love hath but one altar, one pure fire, 
And God is "'all in all." 

This was the second time the angel of death had 
visited this uew home. Two years previous little Wil- 
lie was taken, leaving Frankie their eldest alone. His 
father, M. T. Travis and his sister Hattie K., having 
their home there also — James, Linus and Hattie having 
lost their lovely mother in December, 1872. 

Mr. Will Andrews, the druggist, purchased the 
propertv of C. By son, on Penn avenue. He and his in- 
teresting wife resided there for some time. After being 
burned out in his business, they returned to Warren, 
Ohio. Messrs. Barger, Travers and Gilson built good 
homes on east State street. Charles E. Gibbs, who mar- 
ried Miss V ick, daughter of James Vick, the great flor- 
ist of Rochester, X. Y., built a fine residence on Mrs. 
Mendenhairs oil lease west of Main street. After liv- 
ing there part of a year he sold to Mrs. Mendenhall and 
lived on Penn avenue until the spring of 1879, when 
they removed to Olean, N. Y. Near the same time Dr. 
O. G. Moore, the leading dentist, married Miss Emma 
Trainer, of Strattanville, Pa. After boarding for some 
time he purchased the Will Andrews property and re- 
moved thither, where he and his cheerful wife and in- 
teresting little family continue to reside. He has en- 
larged and improved his home until it is one of the most 
convenient houses in the place. The Dr. is one of our 



74 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 

substantial citizens, and a great advocate of the Greenback 
and Labor cause. 

Tommie Travers, Will Andrews and Chas. Gibbs, 
all being married about the same time, on their return 
their bachelor brethren gave them an ovation in the way 
of a sleigh ride. The two seated sleigh, being covered 
with white and illuminated, was drawn around on the 
different streets by four young men of their club, much 
to the amusement of the citizens. Later in the same 
winter, Mr. G. C. Steele and Miss Ella Genira Menden- 
hall were married. They still resided in the old home- 
stead where she and G. S. Mendenhall lived at that 
time, and until it was burned in 1878. They rebuilt on 
the same site and lived there until the May fire, of 
which Ave will speak further on. This time their house 
was torn down to prevent the spread of the fire. Soon 
after it was rebuilt. The shadow of death came to this 
home. First little Eddie was taken, which left a va- 
cant place in the home. In August 1885, Mr. G. C. 
Steele was called to go, leaving Mrs. Steele and little 
May. Soon after G. S. Mendenhall came home from 
the west and made his home with her. Last year she 
was married to Mr. W. L. Jeffords. Mr. Jeffords is 
engaged in the torpedo business. The Antwerp and 
Union Pipe Lines were established at an early date. 
Have since been consolidated and are known as the 
Transit Pipe Line. The Oak Shade Oil Company's of- 
fice, owned by Bradley, Whiting & Co., with Mr. G. 
M. Cushing, as their superintendent, who continues to 
represent the firm. Mr. Cushing, although among the 
last of his set to have the Gordian knot tied, led to the 
altar Miss Frankie Best. Mr. and Mrs. Cushing's hap- 



AND EDENBUEG PEOPLE. 75 

piness is much marred by her want of health. Like 
Mr. Whiting, she too has resorted to medical treatment 
and southern climate, but not with the desired effect, 
restoration of health. On looking over the list of resi- 
dents of Penn avenue we find the names of Mr. and 
Mrs. Farthing, who lived on the street about one year. 
On seeing their names it brings to memory an incident, 
which at the time was shrouded in mystery. They had 
a beautiful little daughter, Lizzie. A strange man had 
been employed to chop wood and do some other chores 
about the house one afternoon, and just as it was grow- 
ing dark, Mrs. Farthing sent her little daughter to do 
something in the rear of the house. After waiting for 
some time for her to come in, she went to look after her, 
but she was no where to be found. Becoming alarmed 
she sought her among the neighbors, and not finding her, 
the cry was sounded that Lizzie Farthing was lost ! 
Xext day the Herald made pathetic calls for help to re- 
cover her. The search proceeded for two days and 
nights, when bv some mysterious communication to the 
editor, her whereabouts was indicated, and on going to 
the place found her concealed in a coal bank. No furth- 
er explanation was given. In the spring of 1877, Mr. 
M. E. Hess of Shippenville, Pa., who had been operat- 
ing some on the Best farm, built a comfortable home on 
his lease and brought his family ; composed of wife and 
four children. His oldest son Eugene being married 
and already living here. Mrs. Hess was a most amia- 
ble lady. She and the writer were close friends. She 
was a lady, whom to know was to love, but that most 
fatal disease, cancer, had implanted itself in her system. 
Several times she had been to Rome, N. Y., and had the 



76 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 

cancer extracted, but as often it grew again. The last 
time it poisoned her entire system. She endured great 
suffering with Christian heroism. On visiting her in 
company with a friend, the day preceding her death, 
when bidding her farewell, she remarked : "I will be 
better here to-morrow, or in Heaven !" The to-morrow 
dawned, she was easier. Her husband having business 
at Oil City started on the early train. Soon afterward 
she called her son-in-law, Mr. F. G. Sackett, and said : 
"Dispatch to Belle, (who was at school in Clarion,) tell 
her mother wants her." In less than an hour she was a 
corpse. The telegram containing the account of her 
death was received at Oil City before Mr. Hess arrived 
there. Mrs. Hess was much missed by her family and 
friends. But, 

"She's lying now in long repose, 

Ah ! true the heart that feels no woes, 

Is surely blest. 
No longer now life's cares she knows, 
Or sighs for weary day to close. 

That she may rest. 

Mr. Hess afterward married Mrs. Dr. Clotz, of Tur- 
key City. Mr. F. G. Sackett, brother of Rev. O. M. 
Sackett, a brilliant young man, who was connected with 
Mr. Hess in business, as was perfectly natural, became 
captivated by the charms of Miss Ida. Cupid played 
his part, and a few month previous to Mrs. Hess' death 
they were married. Have now an interesting little 
family and live at Kossuth City. Mr. G. S. Hamm, one 
of the pioneer business men, having in company with Mr. 
J. Flynn commenced business with the beginning of the 
town, in the spring of 1876, and who has been burned 
out four times, married Miss Belle, who live in their 
pleasant home on the hill side, where they enjoy life with 






AXD EDEXBURG PEOPLE. 77 

their two children. Notwithstanding, the "fire fiend" 
has pursued Mr. H. so closely, he now has a large brick 
block on corner of Main and Railroad streets, in which 
he has a dry goods and grocery store. The upper rooms 
are used as lodges. Messrs. Frank and Ernest Hess are 
still at their home. Messrs. Coulter and F. M. Dennis- 
ton, known as the Denniston Brothers, came among the 
first, and represented the "Robert's Torpedo Co." They 
were among the live men of the place. Mr. Coulter 
Denniston married Miss Edith Cameron, who more re- 
cently lived at their early home, Grove City, Mercer 
county. Mr. Denniston died very suddenly about three 
years since. Mr. F. M. Denniston, the present Burgess, 
in his third term in succession, is still in the torpedo 
business. Married Miss Annie Schmadder, of Fryburff 
Pa., and has a pleasant home on Corner of Penn and 
Denniston avenues, and of the "spice of married life" 
have Miss Carrie, a little six "year old, full of life. Mr. 
J. W. King, who came early, married Miss Jennie Shel- 
don, one whom nature endowed with many graces. They 
lived for sometime on East State street, from which they 
removed to Farnsworth, Warren county. There, from 
an attack of malarial fever, she died, leaving her husband 
and two interesting children. We here insert an article 
from the Clarion County National, at time of her death. 

The sad newsof the death of Mrs. John W. King-, nee Miss Jennie Shel- 
don, at Farnsworth, Pa., this morning", December 10th, was borne to us 
over the wires. It has been said "Death loves a shining mark," in this 
case it was truly verified. The subject of this notice was a sister of Mr. J. 
Sheldon. In the spring of '76 she and the writer met as strangers. At first 
meeting a mutual sympathy seemed to exist between us. She remained 
with me the most of the time for two years and a half, at which time she 
was married to her now bereaved husband. She was one of those whom 
"to know was to love," always kind, lady-like and obliging. She ever had 
a strong hold upon the affections of our family, regarding her as a younger 
sister. After a sickness of about two months with malarial fever she 



78 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

passed away from earth and its cares, leaving a fond husband and two 
bright and lovely children, to mourn the loss of a most dutiful and affec- 
tionate wife and mother. 

"She died ! She died ! has been pronounced of all, 

It will be our sad memorial, we must die ! 

Must! There is no reprieve. 'Tis God's decree. 

The form that seemed so passing fair, is so beloved. 

And clings so fondly, by a thousand ties 

Around its loved ones, soon will pass away. 
Hail, glorious light 

Of Revelation ! Brightly beaming forth 

From the Eternal Mind. Pure nature rise ! 

Throw off thy shattering despondency ; 

On that sweet rest, which Uod through Jesus gives. 

Read and believe; we die, we die, to live again ! 

H. A. K. 

Mr. John King, with his two children, Annie and 
Fraukie, are now in Lima, Ohio. Mr. John Sheldon, 
who in company with Mr. J. J. Bradley entered the field 
early, was successful. Married Lina Hidings, still re- 
resides on the Ashbaugh farm, where he has his oil pro- 
duction. 

One of the pioneer young men of the place was Mi*. 

Allen McLain. He married Miss Ella Richardson. 
Has been superintendent of oil production of the ( )ak 
Shade Oil Company for several years. Has a pleasant 
home on Petrolia street, and two interesting children 
to cheer them. Dr. W. F. Myers, son of Col. Myers, 
of Franklin, entered the town early, found it necessary 
to have a partner in business, consequently soon returned 
to his home and brought as his partner for life Miss 
Agnes Martin. Four jewels adorn their pleasant home 
on Penn avenue. The Dr. and his amiable wife have 
some celebrity as vocalists. He is a well read physician 
and has a good practice. 

Mr. J. S. Johnson and family came early. Mr. 
Johnson being engaged as book-keeper for J. Sheridan 
& Co. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson had three sons and six 



AND EDEXBURG PEOPLE. 79 

daughters. One, Miss Ella, having married, before they 
came, Mr. Perry Morrow, late member of the Wis- 
lature. Soon after settling in Eden burg, Miss Sarah, 
the eldest, married Mr. Henry Volger. Early the angel 
of death came and bore away Miss Caroline. 

Mr. John Johnson Avas a prominent young man of 
the progressive period of the town. Was there any 
benevolent enterprise or church work, John was always 
to the front ready to help. He afterward married Sarah 
Davis, of Shippenville, who died early, leaving little 
Robbie, an infant. Quite recently he was .married again 
to Miss Emma Kehoe. They live very happily on West 
State street in the cottage home formerly owned by S. L. 
Herron, Esq. Mr. William Johnson married Miss 
Jennie Kribbs and lives at Clarendon, Pa. Mr. Nelson 
Johnson, of detective notoriety, married Miss Ida Young, 
of Strattanville, Pa., where they now reside. Miss Helen 
was married three years since to Mr. D. Anderson, of 
Richburg, X. Y., where they have since resided. Miss 
Cornelia was married to Mr. Emory Myers, but a few 
months since and lives at North Clarendon, Pa. Miss 
Mary has charge of the home since the death of her 
mother. We clip the notice of Mrs. Johnson's death 
from the National : 

Mrs. J. S. Johnson, died suddenly of appoplexy at her home in this 
place, Monday night the 19th inst., aged 66 years, four months and thirteen 
days. The deceased had been ailing for the last four years, but during 
the day before her death she appeared unusually well and cheerful. She 
was an exemplary christian, an affectionate wife and mother, and an ex- 
cellent neighbor— loved and respected by all. An aged husband, five 
daughters and three sons mourn an irreparable loss, but for her to die was 
gain. Her remains were conveyed to Rockland, Venango county, her 
former home for interment. 

Mr. Alexander Palm came to Edenburg before 
there was any oil developments, but came to teach and 



80 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 

not drill oil wells. After occupying different positions 
in the town, was united in marriage to Miss Maggie 
Carroll, of the Columbia farm. Also, Mr. Wm. Hill 
to Miss Ella Carroll, sister of Mrs. Palm. Mr. Palm 
and his excellent wife reside now in Titnsville, Pa. Mr. 
Hill in Freeport, Pa., his wife having died shortly after 
marriage. Time in his rapid flight makes many 
changes 



CASUALTIES. 

In August, 1875, a terrible storm spread all over 
the country. Mr. Abraham Day was inside the door of 
his house, Avhen the forked lightning struck and instant- 
ly killed him. Minnie Mendenhall, little daughter of 
J. S. Mendenhall, was at Mr. Day's house, holding the 
door knob with her right hand, and was struck in right 
hand and left foot, but not injured otherwise. Miss 
Sadie, his daughter, fell senseless, but soon recovered. 

In the spring of 187(5, Mr. Heckethorn was killed at 
J. D. Wolf's well, on Main street, by being caught in 
the bull wheel. Mr. Heckethorn lived a very short time 
after being carried to the house of Albert Sloan. His 
wife and friends came and took his remains to Rockland 
to be interred — the home of his youth. In autumn of 
the same year Messrs. A. Wilson and Alonzo Goss were 
killed by a boiler explosion at the Goss Brothers lease 
on Charity Hill. Mr. Wilson was instantly killed, his 
body was fearfully mangled. Mr. Goss lived a few hours 
and then expired. 

In the summer of 1877, occurred the death of Mr. 
O. P. Happer, who with Mr. B. F. Painter lived in a 






AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 81 

house owned by Mrs. Mendenhall, and located in the 
same inclosure with her own residence. This house was 
called the " Wigwam" from the fact of so many being in 
it and Col. Brown being one of them. We quote the 
account of Mr. Happer's death as given in the Daily 
Herald : 

HORRIBLE TRAGEDY— DEATH FROM A PISTOL SHOT.— A PROMI- 
NENT OPERATOR THE VICTIM —THE CORONER'S INQUEST. 
Yesterday about noon, Edenburg was thrown into a state of excite • 
ment by the report that a young man, well known here, by the name of O. 
P. Happer had killed himself by shooting- himself through the heart with 
a revolver, in a building on Main street known as the "Wigwam " The 
building where the sad affair took place is two stories high, with an addi- 
tion of a one story building extending to one side, the rooms are occupied 
as follows: The front and back rooms of lower floor by Painter, Fuller 
and Happer, as office and sleeping rooms. Directly over this is the office 
of Col. J. B. Brown <fe Son. The addition is used as a physician's office by 
Dr. Magill. Hastening to the place designated our reporter found the 
rumor too true ; upon a bed in the sleeping room of the first named gen- 
tleman lay the lifeless form of Mr. O. P. Happer. The body and clothes 
were clean and neat in every particular. The shirt had been cut away 
from the bosom, leaving the breast exposed, near the centre of which and 
over the region of the heart was visible a small round hole, showing 
plainly the cause of his death. Upon a wash stand lay a No. 1, Smith & 
Wesson revolver, all the chambers but one loaded. Lying along side was 
a bottle of oil uncorked, for the purpose of cleaning his revolver. We 
learned upon inquiry that the friends of the deceased looked upon the sad 
event as purely accidental, as no cause can be assigned tor self-destruc- 
tion. The only persons present were Mr. J. B. Painter who at the time 
was writing at the table, and Mr. Charles E. Wilton, whe had called a tew 
moments before to collect a small bill. Mr. Happer had drawn a check 
for the amount, and Mr. Wilton had signed a receipt for the same, and 
turning to Mr. Painter made remarks upon another subject, Mr. Happer 
at the same time going into the sleeping apartment, but a moment had 
elapsed when the report of a pistol shot was heard, and an exclamation of 
"My God, Ben, I am shot!" came from the dying man. Mr. Painter 
claims that Mr. Happer had taken a revolver some time before from his 
traveling satchel with the remark that he would oil it up and see it it 
would not work easier. He had just returned from making a purchase of 
the oil, and as is supposed was in the act of oiling the pistol when it was 
discharged with the above result. When picked up from the floor all the 
chambers were loaded bvit one. The deceased was a man of correct hab- 
its and a perfect gentleman. He was in the twenty-seventh year of his 
age, and a single man. His father was at one time a member of the legis- 
lature from Washington county, where he now resides. The blow will 
fall most heavily upon his mother and sister who are both in poor health. 



82 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 

May they have help given them from on high to bear up under this sad 
affliction. 

THE CORONER'S INQUEST. 

Was at an early hour assembled at the summons of N. W. Brown, Esq., 
and was composed of the following persons : Mr. P. F. Kribbs, foreman 
J. I. Best, R. Bowman, W. M. Kirkpatrick, T. J. Crawford and B. F. Jar- 
vis. Mr. J. B. Painter was the first witness sworn, who testified as follows: 
Myself and Charley Wilton were sitting at the table talking, Mr. Happer 
wascleaninghis revolver which had become rusty. He, Mr. Happer, was in 
back room and came to the door several times while we were talking. All 
at once, heard a slight report and the voice of Mr. Happer say, "My God, 
Ben.'' These were the very words he uttered. Found him falling back- 
ward across the bed ; he gasped several times ; thought he was shot in the 
arm ; went for Dr. Magill and Langfitt. He was dead when I came back ; 
the hour was about half past eleven. Do not know of any trouble he was 
laboring under, he was in good spirits last night. Cross-examined. — The 
door between the rooms was opened all the time; saw no revolver in 
his hand after I heard the report. In reply to an inquiry as to the oil, he 
laughingly said, it was to use on his boots and his revolver. He was get- 
ting ready to go on a journey. 

Dr. Magill sworn. Was sitting in my office at the time of the accident, 
heard slight report, heard Mr. Painter say "O, my ! Happer. how is this?" 
Was called and went into the room in about five minutes after with Mr. 
Painter and Dr. Langfitt, as he came from the street. Made an examina- 
tion and found the ball had entered the breast on the left side of the ster- 
num, passing obliquely upward. In my estimation the ball penetrated, 
cutting large arteries, which would cause almost instant death. 

C. H. Wilton sworn. Had called to present a bill, and Mr. Happer af- 
ter writing check for amount passed into the sleeping apartment, turning 
to Mr. Painter made a remark about his approaching marriage. At this in- 
stant we heard a pistol report from the adjoining room. Rushing in we 
found Mr. Happer in the last agonies of death. Mr. Painter started tor a 
physician and I called to this gentleman, (pointing to Mr. Brown ;) I picked 
up from off the floor lying at his feet a revolver which I laid on the wash 
stand. The revolver was loaded with the exception of one chamber which 
had been discharged ; should think he lived about four minutes after acci- 
dent ; don't know that he spoke afterwards. Cross-examined. He evi- 
dently set upon the edge of the bed as he had fallen upon it. 

Mr. W. C. B. Brown sworn. Heard no report of a pistol shot, but heard 
a commotion in office below; was called down by Mr. Miller, who said, 
"'Hurry a man has shot himself!" Went below; Mr, Wilton came to bed 
room door with pistol in his hand, saying, "This is what he shot himself 
with," and he had picked it up from the floor; I saw immediately that Mr. 
Happer was either dead or dying ; saw Mr. Wilton place the revolver on 
the table or stand. No cross-examination. 

After a short absence the jury brought in a verdict to the effect that the 
gentleman came to his death by a pistol shot accidently discharged by his 
own hand, and not otherwise. Mr. J. B. Painter was intending to start 
next morning to Independence, Washington county, Pa,, to be married to 






AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 83 

Miss Manchester, daughter of Col. Manchester, of that place, and Mr. Hap- 
per was to accompany him. Mr. Happer's brother came in answer to a tele- 
gram in time for the evening train. It was a sad sight to see carried away 
by twilight, one who in the morning was so full of life and good cheer. 

A SAD OCCURRENCE. DEATH OF PETER SPARGO. 

On Monday forenoon, March 16th, 1885, at about 
11 o'clock, onr town was thrown into a state of profound 
gloom and sadness by the announcement that Peter 
Spargo was dead ! The affair was so unexpected and 
intensely sad that but few could realize that such could 
be the case, but on visiting the postoffice the unwelcome 
truth was fully verified ! He, who but a few minutes 
previous, had been seen on our streets in his usual 
health, and apparently in his ordinary cheerful state of 
mind, now lay a corpse. The result of the contents of 
a revolver penetrating his heart, which had been taken 
from his safe in his office, and discharged while in his 
own hands. No other citizen of Edenburg was more 
esteemed than Peter Spargo, and no death that ever oc- 
curred in our midst was more deeply lamented. The 
funeral, which took place Wednesday afternoon was 
among the largest witnessed in this section for some 
time. Services were held in the M. E. church, Rev. B. 
F. Delo of Clarion officiating, during which our busi- 
ness houses were closed. His remains were deposited 
in the new cemetery, under the honors of the following 
orders: George H. Covode Post, No. 112 G. A. R ; 
Triumph Lodge, No. 1055 K. of H., and Edenburg 
Lodge, No. 115 A. O. U. W. His family are left in 
comfortable circumstances, he being insured to the 
amount of $4,000. Mr. Spargo entered the army in 
May 1861, as a private in Co. K. Regt. 42, P. V., at 
the age of 17 years. Discharged May 22d, 1864, rank 



84 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 

private, U. S. S. C. Date of muster into G. A. P., 
December 3d, 1876. Committee of resolutions of re- 
spect from G. A. R., M. E. Hess and B. F. Rhodes ; 
committee for A. (). U. W v Nelson X. Booth, John H. 
Mehrten and John C. Peters ; committee from Triumph 
Lodge K. of H., with a vote of thanks from same to 
Mrs. B. B. Dunn for floral decorations, J. H. Mehrten, 
A. J. Smith and F. F. Whitehill. A coroner's jury 
decided that Peter Spargo came to his death by acciden- 
tal shooting by his own hand, or otherwise. Mr. Spar- 
go left a wife and three sons. Mrs. Spargo and Frankie 
live on Main street, John the second son is at school, a 
student in Allegheny college. 

In the spring of 1884, Laura Hauto and some oth- 
er children were playing along the P. & W. railroad track, 
just at the curve as it enters Edenburg from the east. 
The other children, on hearing the train coming, ran un- 
der the track, but Laura became confused and ran to- 
ward the engine, and it ran over her and terribly man- 
gled her little body. She was dead when lifted. The 
verdict should have been wanton cruelty of the con- 
ductor. 

[From the Clarion County National.] 
A SHOCKING OCCURRENCE. 

GEORGE CUFFMAN, A CITIZEN OF EDENBLRG, MEETS A TERRIBLE FATE BY THE 
BURNING OF CANOE PUMP STATION.— HIS MUTILATED REMA.INS BE- 
YOND RECOGNITION.— FINDING OF CORONER'S JURY. 

On Wednesday morning between 4 and rive o'clock, the National Tran- 
sit Pump station, near Edenburg, known as Canoe Station, was discovered 
to be on fire by a Mr. Hidings, who resides near by, and going to the boiler 
house, kicked at the door so as to arouse the engineer, but receiving no 
response, and presuming no person was in the house, he then ran to the 
house of Mr. Frantz, an employe of the company and gave the alarm . 
They immediatelv started back to the station, but when reaching it, the 
fiery fiend had made too much headway and the structure was soon in 
ashes. The body of Mr. George Cuffman, who run the forenoon tour, was 
found lying with his face down, on the boiler house floor, burned to a 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 85 

crisp, nothing being left of his feet or arms except a part of the right arm, 
the back of the head being burned to the skull, rendering him beyond re- 
cognition except by his watch, a tax receipt and some other papers found 
about his person. The deceased was a brother of J. D. and James, Cuff- 
man, and leaves a wife and two children to mourn the sad fate which 
ended the life of a husband and father so suddenly, and in a manner so de- 
plorable and mysterious. He was a member, (in good standing), of Eden- 
burg Lodge. No. 115, A. 0. U. W. His charred and dislocated remains 
were gathered up and conveyd to the undertakers rooms of Moore Bros. «fe 
Co., preparatory to being removed to the home of his family on Peun 
avenue for interment. His funeral will take place to-day (Friday) at 10 
o'clock a. m. The origin of the fire is unknown, and the loss to the com- 
pany will not fall short of §5,000. The following is the 

FINDING OF THE JURY. 

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Clarion, ss. 

An inquisition inducted and taken at Edenburg, in the County of Clar- 
ion, and State aforesaid, in the year, A. D.. 1885, and on the 11th day of 
November, of said year, before J. L, Forker. Esq., acting as Coroner of the 
said county, upon the view of the body of Geo. Cuffman, then and there 
lying dead, upon the oaths of John Austin, Gr S. Hamm, C. A. Wheelock, 
P. F. Kribbs, E. W. Crabbe and Samuel Clover, lawful men of the said 
county, upon their oaths say that after viewing the body of the said dead, 
and hearing all the evidence thought necessary in the case, find that the 
said George Cuffman, deceased, came to his death by being burned in a boil- 
er house at the pump station of the National Transit Company located 
near Edenburg, in said county of Clarion. The origin of said fire 
could not be learned by the said inquest. In witness whereof, as well, the 
aforesaid Coroner as the jurors aforesaid, have to this inquisition put their 
hands and seals on the day and year, and at the place first mentioned. 

J. L. Forker, Coroner. 

At the time of the fire which occurred February 
20th, 1886, which is recorded in the other place, we here 
give the particulars of the burning of Win. T. Grove, at 
Richie's restaurant : While most of the inmates es- 
caped by a ladder from the outside, with poor Grove it was 
different. It is supposed that he became confused and 
descended the stairs, which led directly from the hall to 
the kitchen, where the flames were the fiercest. Rodgers 
was the last one who saw him alive. His charred re- 
mains consisting of only the trunk of his body and his 
head, were found when the building was totally de- 
stroyed, lying on the ground in the place where the bot- 



86 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 

torn of the stairs would have rested. This was by far 
the saddest feature of the whole disaster. The coroner's 
jurv could have but one verdict. His remains were 
prepared for burial. His father, Mr. George Grove and 
his brother-in-law, Walter Pool, iu answer to a tele- 
gram, came on the early train and took his remains to 
their home at Roger's Mills, near Brady's Bend, for in- 
terment. He was 19 years old. 



FIRES. 

Edenburg can record more fires perhaps than any 
other town in the State of Pennsylvania in the same 
length of time. The first fire which occurred was a 
house which was built for a hotel on the Emlenton and 
Shippenville road, nearly opposite to Mr. Mendenhall's 
residence. 

The second was William Forker's foundry on south 
Main street, in the spring of 1876. 

The third was the M. E. church, January 5, 1877. 
The house cost $5,000, was insured for $4,000. 

The fourth fire, and the first one that was consid- 
ered a conflagration, occurred January 13th, 1877, on- 
ly eight davs after the destruction of the M. E. church. 
It destroyed considerable property on the two principal 
streets ot the town, Main and State streets. That part 
of the town was very compactly built with large busi- 
ness blocks. The fire occurred on Saturday evening and 
continued until a late hour. It started in a room occu- 
pied by a man and his wife, who resided above Lowell 
& Livingston's clothing store, several blocks below cor- 
ner of Main and State streets. The parties who lived 



AND EDEXBURQ PEOPLE. 87 

there had gone out and perhaps had removed every- 
thing valuable before doing so. After they left the 
room the fire occurred. Some suppose it was a lamp 
explosion, but mystery enshrouded the matter. The 
fire rapidly gained headway, burning down and up State 
street, and then swept around the corner, northward, until 
it reached Wilbur'sjivery stable, where it was arrested. 
The loss by this fire was estimated at $50,000, and 
about twenty-two family residences and business places 
were consumed. Much alarm was felt lest the fire 
would reach large tanks of oil, located just back 
of the Edenburg House, which, in such an event, 
would have caused the fire to spread over the lower 
part of the town. Also, a narrow escape from a nitro- 
glycerine explosion. At the time the fire commenced 
the Denniston Brothers had several cases of this dan- 
gerous material deposited in Wilbur's livery barn. On 
the alarm of fire it was quickly removed to a safe dis- 
tance. Among the sufferers in this fire were Orr & 
Brvan, H. J. Bethune, Lowell & Livingston, O. Durr- 
num and many others. The Edenburg House being 
burned, it was difficult for strangers to be accommodated, 
as the town was then crowded with people — operators, 
contractors, drillers, and strangers. The Bennett House, 
built by D. W. Dyer, on the east side of Main street, 
directly opposite to Mrs. Mendenhall's residence, which 
is now on the corner of Church and Main streets, was 
not quite completed ; but notwithstanding this inconve- 
nience, the proprietor, J. L. Stemple, opened on the Mon- 
day following the loth day of January, and finished and 
furnished afterward. It was a fine, large three story 
building, and while it existed, it was one of the leading 



88 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 

houses. Many celebrities — men of science, lecturers and 

dramatists lodged there. At a Masonic banquet held in 

the Bennett house, in the winter of 1877, some of the 

ladies wore costumes made in Paris. Very soon the 

burnt district was rebuilt, and much better than before 

the fire. Business was brisk, everything was moving 

forward, money was plenty and the people gratified their 

varied inclinations in its use. Those who loved sport 

and the race, had organized a company and prepared a 

race course on the north of Edenburg, on the Jacob 

Switzer, jr., farm, at which they held Trotting Fair.-. 

On the 19th of June, 1878, while a large part of the 

population were attending one ol these fairs, the alarm 

of fire was again heralded, much to the dismay of the 

"Home Guards." It was soon discovered to be on Penn 

avenue. At this scourge, more than a dozen dwellings, 

besides a number of barns and out-houses, were laid 

waste. Vbout twenty minutes of six, in the evening, fire 

was discovered in a house on the avenue, belonging to 

Mrs. Olds. Pennsylvania avenue is at right angles with 

Main street, north of and parallel with State street. 

With the exception of the west end, on which there were 

a few business houses, it was lined <>n either side with 

neat cottages, the houses of business men and those who 

produced the crude. Halfway up the hill was the house 

of Mrs. Olds. This house was an elongated structure, 

divided by partitions, so that it could be occupied by a 

number of families. Miss Aken, who lived in the rear 

portion of the house, first found the partition between 

her apartment and that occupied by Mrs. Day to be on 

fire. Most of the house- being tinder box structures, and 

built in the manner common to oildom, the flames 



AND EDEXBUEG PEOPLE. 89 

warmed up the surroundings and rapidly made their way 
to the adjoining buildings on the same side of the street. 
H. F. Whiting's plastered house, the finest on the 
avenue, was the first to catch ou the north side of 
the street. It was a hard fought field, the supply of 
water being limited, but there was a spirit of heroism, 
displayed at that fire by some men which is seldom 
equaled. Quite a stiff breeze was blowing to the north- 
east and in this direction the flames were borne. Their 
fury was arrested on the north side at the residence of 
J. A. Travis — a wide cross street lying between his 
house and Whiting's. On the south side it was arrested 
at the Dr. O. G. Moore property. Miss Carrie Corbett 
the daughter of the proprietress of a boarding house, was 
arrested on suspicion, but after detaining her in the lock- 
up all night, and giving her a hearing in the morning, 
she was discharged. The following properties were de- 
stroyed : 

J. S. Harley, furniture and clothing $200, no in- 
surance ; J. I. Best, building occupied by Mr. Harley, 
$500, insured for $300 ; W. F. Hamilton, house, bam 
and furniture, $900, insured for $800 with Farmers and 
Mechanics' Insurance Company of Pennsylvania ; L. 
Orkett, building $350, furniture and clothing $200 ; 
W. W. Cochenower, house $395, furniture and clothing 
$250, insured with Watertown, K Y., for $600 ; Rob- 
ert's Torpedo Co., represented by the Denniston Bros., 
barn and furniture $300, no insurance ; H. F. Whit- 
ing, plastered house and furniture $4,000, insured for 
$2,000 with the ^Etna, of Hartford ; A. C. Willough- 
by, plastered dwelling house $2,000, insured for $1,250 
with ^Etna, of Hartford ; Foust House, $500 ; James 



90 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 

Elliott, house and furniture §750. This fire was thought 
to be incendiary, but no proof could be had. 

THE INCENDIARY TORCH AG A IX. 

April 14th, 1878, another dastardly attempt was 
made to destroy the town by fire. On the morning of 
this day the window easing in W. M. Kirkpatrick's 
grocery store on Main street, was saturated with kero- 
sene oil and fired. A colored man discovered the fire 
and roused the owner, who with the aid of his wife, 
soon extinguished the flames, which were already creep- 
ing up the side of the building. After this and other 
indications of incendiarism the citizens detailed a large 
number of men, who took turns by squads of six. Every 
precaution was taken for a time, but just when the night 
watch was lulled into security the most fatal fire of all 
occurred. 

THE GREAT FIRE. THE LITTLE CITY ALMOST SWEPT 

OUT OF EXISTEXCE. 

Thirteen is an unlucky number for Edenburg. It 
was on the 13th of January, 1887, that the place re- 
ceived its first baptism of fire, when $50,000 worth of 
property was wiped out at a breath. On the 13th of 
October 1877, occurred the terrible conflagration of 
which we now speak, and which will long be remem- 
bered as the most destructive that ever occurred in the 
oil country, a region so famous for its terrible fires. 
At ten minutes after four o'clock, on the above date, 
the fire was discovered breaking out in the rear of 
Wilbur's livery stable. The alarm was promptly given 
by policeman E. J. Little, on discovering the flames, by 
blowing the whistle at the oil well back of the Edenburg 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 91 

House. Within a very brief space of time thereafter, 
Main, State and Railroad streets were all ablaze. By this 
time the sleeping city was aroused and in a very few 
minutes the streets were filled with people. The com- 
bustible material in the livery stable was soon on fire, 
and the entire building wrapped in a sheet of flame. So 
speedily was the building enveloped that it was impossi- 
ble to get out the stock, and ten horses were roasted to 
death. It is impossible to describe the scene at this ter- 
rible moment, nor will it be attempted here. It was a 
sight that no Edenburger will be likely to ever forget, 
who witnessed it. To see the flames leap from building 
to building and no means to arrest their progress. Men, 
women and children ran half clothed from their blazing 
houses, glad to have escaped with their lives. Heroic 
efforts were made to check the progress of the fire, but 
they were of little avail. The town was surely fired by 
an incendiary and it was thought the water mains were 
cut. The entire water system was found to be inade- 
quate to meet the wants of the moment, and to this un- 
fortunate circumstance can be attributed in a great meas- 
ure the almost total destruction of the busy, bustling 
town. In two hours after the fire broke out, thirty 
acres of buildings were leveled to the ground, a mass of 
smoking ruins. One hundred and seventy-four build- 
ings, including the handsome M. E. church, the post- 
office, express office, banks, stores and dwelling houses, 
were destroyed by the fiery demon. The insurance was 
but a trifle more than one-fourth of the loss. The town 
up to 1876 was an inconsiderable hamlet, but with the 
rapid development of the territory in the vicinity, and 
the advance in oil to four dollars a barrel, it grew into a 



92 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 

large town, and simultaneous with its growth was the 
construction of the narrow gauge railroad connecting it 
with Emlenton, on the Allegheny Valley railroad. It 
thus became a business center, eclipsing in importance 
all other distinctively oil towns. 

The generosity of the people of the oil country, 
known the world over, was happily illustrated in the 
burning of Edenburg. Everybody had already given, 
some from their abundance, others from their poverty, 
for the aid of the fever stricken South, but when the 
electric flash told of people suffering at home, every hand 
was extended with assistance. The sister cities, Elk 
City, Shippenville, Foxburg, St. Petersburg, Clarion 
and Parker all responded at the first intimation. Oil 
City gave wit'h a generous hand. In a few day s she had 
contributed to the amount of $1,035 in cash. Of this 
amount the United Pipe Lines gave $500. Duprez & 
Benedict's Minstrels, at the Grand Opera House in Oil 
City, and George Fawcett Rovre, at Mead vi lie, each gave 
the receipts of one entertainment, less their expenses, to 
the sufferers by the fire. Major Maitland's telegram to 
the manager of the United Pipe Lines, informing him 
of the terrible fate that had befallen poor Edenburg, was 
the first intelligence of the fire sent from the town. 

Edenburg, October 13th, 1878. 
To E. Hopkins,— 

General Manager United Lines, Oil City : — 

I write amid the ruins of what was yesterday a busy town. Desolation 
reigns from State street to Sheridan's machine shop, and from the railroad 
to the hillside in the rear of our office, everything i-s swept clear. In short 
all the business portion of the town is in ruins, leaving one hotel and 
Kribbs' brick block and two machine shops. The fire originated in Wil- 
bur's livery stable. 3 o'clock, A. M. As there was no water nothing could 
be done to stay the flames and each one was intent upon saving his own 
property. We saved all our books and office furniture. Some unimpor- 
tant papers were left in the vault, which is yet unopened. We are 



AND EDEXBURG PEOPLE. 93 

snugly ensconced in the old Empire office and repair men are on the way 
from Petrolia to put in wires, and before business hours we think will be 
in good working: shape. Such a calamity has never before befallen our 
town. The hill sides are covered with goods saved, and many poor fami - 
lies are surrounded by their all, homeless, without money and seemingly 
without friends. It calls loudly for active sympathy, that sympathy which 
goes clear down to the bottom of our pockets. God only knows what will 
become of these people. 

J. B. Maitland, Superintendent. 
The relief committee meets at 2 o'clock, p. m., at the Opera House. 
What shall I say for the United Pipe Line ? J. B, M. 

MANAGER HOPKIN'S RESPONSE. 

Oil City, Pa., October 13th, 1878. 
To J. B. Maitland, Edenburg. 

Will not be able to consult any one to-day, but will advise you to- 
morrow. Say §'500 for immediate relief on my responsibility. 

E. H. Hopkins. 

On receipt of this telegram Major Maitland in- 
formed the relief committee, which had already been ap- 
pointed, that they could purchase $500 worth of sup- 
plies for the needy on account of the United Lines. This 
intelligence was hailed with tears of gratitude by many 
poor families who had been deprived of their all, and 
were actually suffering. The relief committee went to 
work at once and purchased food and clothing sufficient 
to relieve the immediate wants of all. The hill sides 
with which the town is walled in on every side, were 
covered with people — men, women and children — guard- 
ing little piles of household goods, which they had man- 
aged to save from the almost universal ruin. The hand 
of sweet charity is always a benediction, and in this case 
the assistance proffered came like a blessing to many, for 
there were many who had not saved a dime or a crumb, 
and barely enough clothing to cover them. The next 
offering of money, after the United Pipe Line contribu- 
tion, was $25 from Turkey City. Elk City and Ship- 
penville were each on the ground early with loads of 
provisions. As to which arrived first, the Elk City or 



94 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

Shippenville representatives, can not be definitely stated 
as both claim the honor. Oil City, as usual, was not be- 
hind in the matter of charity. The town had just sent 
out about §2.000 to the yellow fever sufferers, and more 
was still being raised for the same purpose, when the 
news came of Edenburg's calamity. Every heart was 
touched, and on Monday morning Mr. W. P. Finley 
passed around a paper among the members of the Oil 
Exchange, and requested them to contribute something 
to help those persons who lost their all in the fire. The 
members responded with their usual liberality, and in a 
short time he had raised the sum of $500. He then 
sent the following telegram : 

Oil City, Pa., October 15th, 1878. 

C. W. Guild, Ch'm. Relief Committee Edenburg ; — 

You may draw on me for $500, amount donated by the Oil City Oil 
Exchange. W. P. Finley. 

In a short time the following answer was received : 

W. P. Finley, Oil City, Par- 
Accept our thanks for your liberal donation from the Exchange. 

Charles W. Guild, 
Chairman Relief Committee. 

Of the money donated, J. A. Bpstwick gave §100, 
the Standard Oil Company §50, H. L. Taylor $50, Jos. 
Seep $25, Charles Pratt & Co., §50, Wm. Hasson $20, 
and others smaller amounts. On the following morning 
§35 additional was subscribed by the Oil Exchange for 
the benefit of the sufferers. This last contribution makes 
a total of §535 donated to the cause by the Exchange, 
and all told from the city §1.035. The following cor- 
respondence explains itself: 

Oil City, Pa.. October 17th, I <7^. 
C. W. Guild, Chairman Relief Committee, Edenburg:— 

You may draw on me for $35 more donated by the Oil Exchange 
here for the Edenburg sufferers. Wm. P. Finley. 



AND EDEXBURG PEOPLE. 95 

Edenbukg, Pa., October 17th, 1878. 
W. P. Finley :— 

Accept our thanks for your liberal donation from the Exchange. 

Charles W. Guild, 
Chairman Relief Committee, 

Mr. OfFey, of the Parker Oil Exchange, was on 
the ground, and after looking over the desolated scene 
sent a telegram to Mr. Theodore Tack to the effect that 
although there were no cases of absolute distress, before 
morning many persons would go hungry unless food 
was furnished them. Mr. OfPey concluded his telegram 
with these words : "What will the Exchange do ?" 
Mr. Tack immediately started with a subscription paper, 
and in twenty minutes had raised $123. This amount 
was at once dispatched to the relief committee. Parker 
increased her subscription to the amount of §175, and 
was ready to send more if necessary. 

The aggregate cash donations sent to the commit- 
tee amounted to upwards of $2,000. Beside the cash 
donations, load after load of provisions were sent in from 
all parts ol the county, as well as from the counties ad- 
jacent, and the horn of plenty seemed to have been 
emptied into the lap of the prostrate city. The gentle- 
men who were delegated with the important trust of dis- 
tributing this charity worked hard and faithfully and 
rendered complete satisfaction in every particular. It 
may be interesting to the reader to read a list of dona- 
tions : 

DONATIONS, 

United Pipe Lines $ 500 00 

Turkey City 25 00 

E. M. Grant, Foxburg 50 00 

Marcus Hulings, Oil City 100,00 

[To draw for $100 more if necessary.] 

Parker City Oil Exchange 195 00 

Dr. J. M. Harding, Oil City 5 00 



96 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 

Oil City Oil Exchange 535 00 

J. M. Guffey, St. Petersburg 150 00 

Foxburg 50 00 

C. W. Little - 10 00 

Gen. Harry White 50 00 

Bradley & Co 100 00 

Oil Well Supply Company Limited 100 00 

M. E. Hess 30 00 

Major J. B. Maitland 25 00 

Emlenton Relief Association, cash and provisions 100 00 

L. F. Barger 10 00 

St. Petersburg, cash and supplies 250 00 

Total 82.245 00 

Elk City, one load of provisions ; Shippenville, one load of provi- 
sions ; Clarion, one large load of r rovisions ; Paint township, one load of 
provisions ; E. H. Beckwith, two barrels refined oil ; a farmer a large 
quantity of vegetables. 

Relief Committee, headquarters Kribbs block: Charles W. Guild, 
chairman ; P. F. Kribbs, E. D. Crum, J. W. Sindorf, T. W. Burchinell, W. 
H. Stewart, Hugh Amo and S. Breckenridge. 

Citizen's Committee : headquarters at W. W Greenland's office. H. 
F. Whiting, chairman; M. E. Hess, treasurer; L. F Barger, secretary ; L. 

D. Crandall, Col. J. B. Brown and Maj. J. B. Maitland. 

The following is a list of the losses and insurance : 

MAIN STREET. 

Loss Insurance 

I. S. Harley, boots and shoes $ 4,500 00 8 2,000 00 

J. M. Place, store building 800 00 500 00 

T. J. Crawford, postoffice 2,800 00 800 00 

J. D. Wolf, Proprietor Grand Central 5,000 00 

Mrs. Grumpy, Grand Central 3,000 00 

J. C. Swan & Co., druggists 2,500 00 1,000 00 

W. C. Andrews, druggist 500 00 3 00 00 

H. R. Burgess, druggist 2,000 00 750 00 

J. Brucker, tailor, on stock 200 00 

W. H. Crawford, confectionery 400 00 400 00 

H. E. Ames, tools and household 150 00 

M. E. Church and parsonage 8,000 00 5,000 00 

Ross House 4,000 00 

C. A. Wheelock, five buildings 4,500 00 1,750 00 

John Walater, meat market 700 00 

Stewart &. Hazlett, St, Cloud 2.800 00 

Brown & Son, office 250 00 

S. J. Stemple, City Hotel 2,600 00 

Sam Gibbs 1.000 00 

Wm.Kirkpatrick, grocer 3.000 00 500 00 

Mrs. J. G. Mendenhall 2,000 00 1,700 00 

New York Clothing Store, J. Barrance 6,000 00 3,500 00 

J. L. Shaner, jeweler 1,000 00 



AND EDEXBURG PEOPLE. 97 



2,700 00 
800 00 



4,000 00 


400 00 


600 00 


1,000 00 


400 00 


2,000 00 


800 00 


3,000 00 


1,500 00 



Tommie Travers, clothing 5,60° 00 

W. S. Brown, furniture 3,000 °° 

Mrs. Geo. C. Steele, Mendenhall mansion 3,000 00 

Mrs. Newman, milliner 300 °0 

United Pipe Lines 2,500 00 

O. G. Moore, dentist 50 9° 

J. M. Gifford, Herald 800 00 

Dr. Rea, furniture 10 ° °° 

Mrs. N. Brown, three store rooms 5,500 00 

Agent Titusville laundry 25 °° 

Dr. E. W. Northrop, two buildings 2,500 00 

D. W. Dyei, Bennett House 12,000 00 

G. S. Mendenhall, seven buildings 2,000 00 

S. P. Morrison 6u0 00 

P. F. Kribbs, one budding and damage to others... 2 000 00 

Selby Bros., law office 800 00 

Oil Exchange building 3,000 00 

Braunswigers boot and shoe store 3,000 00 

Toot McConnell. Petroleum House 4,100 00 

Clarion County Bank and Edenburg bank building 3 000 CO 

J. H. Wilbur, livery stable and tenant houses 2,400 00 

A. R. Chamberlain, hardware 1,500 04 

A. L. Bunnel 1.000 00 

E. W. Crabbe 3,000 00 250 00 

Eaton, Cole & Bumham, building and well 1,500 00 

Geo. Mayer, tobacconist 800 00 

Flynn & Hamm, dry goods 15,000 00 

Western Union Telegraph, furniture 100 00 

Litchen, store building and stock 2,500 00 

Hugh Amo, tobacconist 200 00 

E. Timlin 2,000 00 

Lizzie Quinn, milliner 500 00 

Lina Frank 500 00 350 00 

Mrs. Mack, milliner 500 00 

A. C. Dinker, grocer 600 00 600 00 

Mrs. John Smith 500 00 

P. M. Magee 300 00 

John Sheridan, residence and two wells 2,500 00 

Jas. Crisp, dwelling 300 00 

W. C. Davis, dwelling 300 00 

G. W. Goodyear, dwelling 200 00 

J. M. Strong, furniture 300 00 300 00 

L. Hirsch & Co , clothing 9,000 00 5,100 00 

R. W. Finch, artist 1,000 00 300 00 

Miss M, A. McKeuzie & Upham, millinery. ..% 500 00 

Charles Supes, building 1,500 00 

Rev. P. P. Pinney, furniture 500 00 500 00 

Dr. F. P. Langfitt, library, &c 500 00 

J. P. McQuiston, dry goods 4,000 00 2.000 00 

Robert's Torpedo Office, Denniston Bros 250 00 



13 000 00 



98 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 

Crosby & Meredith 100 00 

Canning & Bros 200 00 

J. Levy, dry goods 8,500 00 5,000 00 

W. B. Harley. grocer 8,000 00 

Bradley & Co 3,500 00 2,250 00 

Hathaway & Thatcher, Newport House 2,000 00 300 00 

B, F. Jarvis, tinware 6.000 00 1,600 00 

Price, dwelling 100 00 

Samuel Hill, dwelling 100 00 

H. Wink, dwelling 150 00 

Rev. Leffingwell, dwelling 100 00 

J. Brucker, dwelling 400 TO 

Marlin oil well 500 00 

Ed. Sackett, household goods 370 00 

S. M. Crosby, house and furniture 1,500 00 600 00 

Nachman & Co., tobacconists 600 00 600 00 

Masonic Lodge. Kribbs' Block, damaged 100 00 

Sundry individual losses 2,000 00 

Different societies 500 00 

STATE STREET. 

Kribbs Block, Cor. Main and State 1,000 00 

Loyd Walter, grocery 9,000 00 

Will Horner, clothing 4,500 00 

A. A. Aklen & Bro., building 1,600 00 

Zuver & Hall, billiards 3,000 00 

M. E. Hess, well fixtures 500 00 

Noble & Co., meat market 800 00 

Robert Bryan, buildings 8.000 00 

Orr Brothers, hotel 10,000 00 

B. Isaacs & Co 3,500 00 

Mrs. O.Jepson, restaurant 1,500 00 

P. A. Warnock, hotel 2,600 00 

Gaily & Wilson, bakery 1,500 00 

N. W. Brown. 3 buildings 800 00 

Oyster Ocean 1,000 00 

Garrett House 4,000 00 

J. A. Jordan, clothing 2,500 00 1,200 00 

Brown & Crandall, commission store 50 00 

S. Moss 150 00 

Wails & Phillipps. oil well 600 00 

G. W. Gilson 2oil wells 1,500 00 

G. S. Duncan, office 100 00 

H. M. Zigle, clothing 2,600 00 800 00 

Beardsly & Draper, saloon 1,200 00 900 00 

T. S. Sieger, books 200 00 

A. Myers, wholesale liquor, damage 200 00 

Henry Schoen, Edenburg Bazaar 2.400 00 400 00 

M. Harold, livery stable 1,500 00 1,500 00 

Dr. Powell 100 00 



1,000 00 


2.000 00 


2,000 00 


800 00 


1,200 00 


500 00 


1,500 00 


1,000 00 


1,200 00 


400 00 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 

De France & Urey, druggists ». 

B. Simons, tobacconist 

Peter Cramer 

Henry Steuart, loss of clothing 

Mrs. Emma Marr, damage 

George Higer, butcher 

Dr. Eddy, fixtures 

O. Dunning, Globe Hotel 

F. Englert, bakery 

Lovejoy, grocery 

Angell's drug store, vacant 

Hardenburg, livery 

Knarr's meat market 

Mrs. Sarver. millinery 

Pollock, bakery 

Morrison's music store, vacant 

J. Rawlin's Arcade Hotel 

G. Kilgour's shoe shop 



RAILROAD STREET. 



P. Moran, wholesale liquors 

Moran & Boyce, hotel 

M. S. Booth, billiard room 

Herman Stern, confectionery 

W. McNamara, saloon 

Thomas Klingensmith 

P. Dhrew, hotel 

A. C. Morrison, hotel 

Charles Guild's, Exchange Hotel and office. 

Wm. Jahn, dwelling and stock 

Eagle Hotel, vacant 

C. E. Gibbs, owner of Pittsburg House 



PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE. 



Dong Sing, laundry 

Fox Draper, laundry 

Crisley's blacksmith shop , 

Hancomb's bowling alley 

J. A. Travis, livery barn 

Kerr, Tinker & Co , 

H. F. Whiting, stored goods 

Six oil wells , 

B. Kirley's sucker rod manufactory. 

Coefield & Hammond, office 

George Sheffield, office 



Harold's livery shed.. 
Furlong's dwelling.... 
John Coast's oil well. 



3. 


99 


2,000 00 




3,000 00 


1,200 00 


800 00 




50 00 




100 00 




600 00 


400 00 


100 00 




2,600 00 


900 00 


2,600 00 


1,400 00 


200 00 




600 00 


100 00 


1,000 00 




200 00 




100 00 




300 00 




500 00 




100 00 




300 00 




2,500 00 


500 00 


2,000 00 


500 00 


600 00 




1,600 00 


850 00 


500 00 




900 00 


800 00 


3,000 00 




2,800 00 


1,500 00 


L0,000 00 


2,100 00 


2,000 00 




1,000 00 




800 00 


500 00 


100 00 




100 00 




500 00 




200 00 




1,000 00 




500 00 




300 00 




5,000 00 




500 00 




150 00 




150 00 




100 00 




50 00 




500 00 





100 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

i OHIO STREET. 

E. &S. R. R. depot 2,500 00 1,000 00 

Fruit stand in depot 100 00 

Oil Well Supply Co 30.000 00 unknown 

Chalfant <fc Graff 30,000 00 13.600 00 

Putnam's livery barn 1,000 00 

Vacant building 200 00 

Union Express Co 100 00 

8411,335 00 §106,150 00 

After the fire, warm, delightful weather prevailed 
up to Thursday afternoon, the 17th inst., when a rain 
of considerable volume set in ; but rain as fast as it might 
the work of building went rapidly on. The clear rap of 
the hammer, the grating of the saw and sound of the 
plane could be heard on every hand. Wagons and cars 
loaded with all sorts of lumber were being unloaded con- 
tinually. Carpenters with kits of tools could be seen 
flocking from every direction. Many business localities 
were changed. People not familiar with the indomita- 
ble pluck and energy of the citizens peopling the oil 
towns, shook their heads sorrowfully when they heard 
the awful story of the fire, and the wide-spread ruin and 
desolation it had wrought, and said : "Ah, well, this is 
the last of Edenburg." They were never more mis- 
taken. 

"When Greece City, Modoc and a few of the earlier 
towns were leveled to the earth by fire, they lay prone 
and helpless. Not so with Edenburg. Although all 
swept away but the ragged edges, she shows unmistaka- 
ble evidence of soon springing into life. Owing to the 
removal of business the great Northern Oil Fields, pre- 
vious to the holacaust which came so near wiping Eden- 
burg from the face of the earth, the place contained its 
share of unoccupied buildings. It was a self evident 



AXD EDENBUKG PEOPLE. 101 

fact that there was more of Edeuburg than the business 
of the community demanded. The new Edenburg will 
be built up with a view to the demands of business, and 
will not be over done. There is still a large oil produc- 
tion in the territory surrounding the town, and will be 
for many years to come. To this fact is due the speedy 
building up of the place." 

CHIT CHAT ABOUT THE FIRE. 

Messrs. Sackett & Long, of the Clarion House, will long be gratefully 
remembered by many persons whose immediate wants they relieved with 
their usual promptness. Scores of sufferers by the fire were taken in and 
fed by them. 

A little girl entered the relief committee rooms with a huge basket 
which she wanted filled with provisions. Mr. Guild asked her where she 
was from and she replied Beaver City. The affable chairman blandly in- 
formed her that Beaver City was not included in the burned district. 

The peanut man was the first to resume business. 

The ruins were visited by thousands of people on Sabbath and since 
daily by hundreds. 

A woman was seen throwing a large rocking chair out of the second 
story window, and soon after was seen coming down complacently carry- 
ing a bundle of clothes. 

Up to Thursday the average number of families supplied by the re- 
lief committee, was one hundred and twenty-five, of individuals furnished 
with meals, one hundred. Also transportation has been furnished a num- 
ber who wanted to go to friends. 

Quite a con! est between Main and State streets which will get the 
postoffice. Main street won. State street also requested the railroad com- 
pany to locate their new building on it. It was located on Railroad street. 
The M. E. church edifice was the finest and most costly structure con- 
sumed. 

It is needless to say that Edenburg after this terri- 
ble fire, Phoenix like, rose grander than before. The 
buildings were better. It presented a fine appearance 
when the new buildings were completed. The streets 
were widened thirty feet. Business soon moved on as 
though nothing had occurred. The spring of 1879 was 
opening up beautifully, the weather was all that any one 
could desire and business was looming up accordingly. 
On the morning of April 19th, 1879, Mr. F. L. Ben- 



102 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

singer, who had been detained on business in his store 
until 2 o'clock, discovered flames issuing from a vacant 
house south of Kribbs' Block. He at once gave the 
alarm and hurried to the scene, and as he approached 
the building he heard sounds as of some one running 
away, but he could discover nothing in the darkness. It 
was supposed that some miscreant had scattered coal oil 
on the second floor of the building and applied the match. 
This blaze destroyed ten buildings, and the loss was es- 
timated at $10,000. It occurred on south Main street, 
which up to this time had escaped the scourge, with the 
exception of the burning of Win. Forker's foundry. 

At 9 o'clock, on Saturday evening, May 22d, 1880, 
while many of the people were attending a circus on the 
hill-side, west of town, a fire originated in the United 
States Hotel, on Railroad street, next to the P. & W. 
R. R. depot. This fire was undoubtedly the work of 
an incendiary as the house was vacant. Mr. R. A. 
Walker of the United Lines noticed a light spring up 
in one of the chambers of the hotel. Everything had 
been taken out of the house for over a month. He 
sounded the alarm, but before enough of people could be 
assembled, the fire had gained headway. When the 
alarm of fire reached the circus one of the most exciting 
scenes occurred. Men became wild with fright and 
some ladies fainted — such a horror had each one of the 
dreaded cry, "Fire !" In making their egress the pas- 
sages became crowded so that there was danger of being 
trodden under foot. Men resorted to removing the bar- 
riers by stripping the canvas to shreds. Such a scene of 
excitement and struggling humanity had never been 
witnessed in the town. On arriving at the fire but lit- 



AND EDENBUEG PEOPLE. 103 

tie could be accomplished. It was at once decided that 
nothing could be done to save buildings, consequently 
the best and only thing to be done was to remove and 
save the goods. The tables were removed from Zuver's 
billiard hall, and every house which was supposed to be 
at a safe distance from the fire was full in a few min- 
utes. W. I. McDowell, the faithful clerk in Cochran's 
hardware and oil well supply store, detailed a squad to 
save it, which was successfully accomplished after a des- 
perate battle with the monster. Another squad by 
a similar effort saved the depot. The names swept 
on and consumed everything in their course on both sides 
of Railroad street to the corner of Railroad and Main. 
Here a desperate effort was made to save Hamm's store, 
but it was of no avail. The fire turned the corner north- 
ward and spent its fury on the east side of Main street 
until it passed Kernick's music store and there it was 
arrested at an open space. It turned the other corner of 
Railroad and Main streets and swept both sides of Main 
street south of Railroad street. Several building's were 
torn down to arrest its further progress — among others 
was the home of Mr. and Mrs. G. C. Steele. On the 
east side of Main street the stand was made at the Wil- 
bur livery barn, now owned by Mr. Wood. Several 
times the barn caught fire but was as often extinguished. 
This fire swept away over sixty buildings, at a loss of 
from $75,000 to $80,000. Mr. Oris. Exley was seen at 
the circus and at the fire, but has never been seen or 
heard of since. One other incident of this fire : Mrs 
Mendenhall had her garden planted and the vegetables 
were beginning to show green, when all G. S. Hamm's 
store goods were carried over and laid upon them. 



104 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

Neither fish, salt or sugar would grow any more than 
dry goods, consequently her garden was a barren waste. 
In this fire as in the October fire, J. M. Gifford's home 
and the Herald were destroyed, also Gibbs' shoe store, 
J. L. Shaner's jewelry store, and two fine buildings 
owned by J. Alexander. Up to that time Main street 
was the Broadway of Edenburg, built up in the finest 
taste ever displayed in the town, with fine offices, bank 
buildings and stores of every description. Misses Was- 
sum & Crick, Miss M. S. McKinzie, the Postoffice, J. 
P. McQuiston, the Newport House, J. W. Cowan, D. & 
F. Rieff, Pat Moran's liquor store, Wm. Kernick's music 
store, G. S. Hamra's dry goods store, (his third scorch- 
ing) were all destroyed. Some became discouraged and 
removed to other fields. Others took it as something 
they might expect and went to work to rebuild ; but not 
so many fine buildings were erected. One person had 
erected a two story building and had it ready to finish 
off, when, in June, a severe wind storm came and blew 
it down. At this fire, as at former ones, was witnessed 
the true sympathy which exists in oil towns more than 
in any other. St. Petersburg, Clarion and all the towns 
along the line of the railroad, sent tangible evidences of 
a common humanity, in their general bequests. 

A THREE MONTH'S ANNIVERSARY OF THE LAST HOLO- 
CAUST. 

At 3:40, on the morning of August 22d, just three 
month's after the last fire, our citizens were again awak- 
ened from their slumbers by the dreaded alarm of fire — 
doubly dreaded on account of the terrible experiences 
thev had passed through three times, when the ill fated 
city had been swept by the devastating element. At first 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 105 

they could scarcely realize, that they were called upon 
so soon to battle with the enemy, but the terrible reality 
was plain that they must put forth an herculean effort or 
let the flames devour everything. The flames were seen 
issuing from the rear of Wheelock's & Moore's livery 
stable (late Wood's and formerly Wilbur's) by Mrs. S. 
W. Clover, who awakened her husband to give the 
alarm. Mr. Clover appeared on the street as soon as 
possible and noticed that the rear of the barn had been 
saturated with oil. He gave the alarm and was soon 
re-inforced by others, but were too late to save any effects 
from the barn. Seven horses, one very valuable, owned 
by E. G. Crawford, with a number of complete rigs, 
were destroyed. Two boys who were sleeping in the 
office were nearly suffocated with the smoke or odor of 
burning oil, which, it was supposed, had been thrown on 
to start the fire. In ten minutes after discovered the 
fiery demon held sway and with its destructive fangs 
lapped in its embrace the following new buildings which 
had been erected since May 2 2d : 8. Gibbs, boots and 
shoes ; J. L. Shaner, jeweler ; O. G. Moore, dentist ; E. 
W. Crabbe, unoccupied ; Clem Berlin, fruits ; J. W. 
Woodington, unfinished ; J. M. Mong, unoccupied, and 
J. A. Palm, news room. These were all north of 
Wheelock's livery. J. A. Weaver, billiards; Petroleum 
House, S. W. Clover, proprietor ; Tommie Travers, 
clothing store, and J. I. Best, boots and shoes. These 
were old buildings south of the barn, all on Main street. 
On State street, H. R. Burgess, drugs ; Miss White, 
dressmaker, up stairs ; J. L. Miller, grocery ; D. W. 
Lewis and family, up stairs ; Fred Englert, residence 
and bakery. The latter was torn down, which saved 



106 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

* 

the balance of State street. The drug .store of Wood- 
ward & Co., and Mayes' building, tenanted by Mrs. 
H. R. Brown's clothing store, by hard fighting, were 
saved. G. S. Hamm's store was saved this time, also 
Mong tv. Magee's large store was saved. It was just 
three months from the May fire which was checked, 
where this one commenced. It commenced at the same 
spot and exactly at the same hour, almost to a minute, 
as the fire of October 13th, 1878. The loss aftthis, called 
the Auo ust fire, was estimated at fifteen thousand dol- 
la is, but fell heavier on the sufferers than any previous 
one, owing to the slight insurance. 

Edenburg people are patient and heroic, but quar- 
terly fires of this calibre are sufficient to shake the pa- 
tience of the old patriarch of patience. There is no 
doubt but that this fire was the work of an incendiary, 
as the smell of burning oil could plainly be discerned at 
the commencement, as if rags were saturated and placed 
in position, and there were no fires lighted for any pur- 
pose in the immediate vicinity. The people rebuilt af- 
ter this fire and business went on, but not so brisk as 
formerly. The Bradford field was at that time the great 
attraction. 

Miss M. McKinzie, who had rebuilt, lost her house 
on Main street, by fire the following March, 1881, 
caused by a defective stove-pipe. 

In February, 1886, Mr. Jesse Smith, on west State 
street lost his house by a flow of gas. They saved most 
of their goods, but the house was consumed in a few 
minutes. They rebuilt and have a very pretty home 
now on the same site. 

At half-past two o'clock on Saturday morning, Feb- 



AND EDENBUPG PEOPLE. 107 

ruary, 1 XW, another disastrous fire broke out and de- 
stoyed a block of wooden buildings on Main street, and 
a young man named William T. Grove was burned to 
death. The fire started in Ritchie's restaurant and board- 
ing house, a two-story structure on Main street, the 
third door from corner of Penn avenue and Main 
street, spread out on both sides. The prime cause of 
the conflagration, as everyone supposes, although no one 
knows, was Ritchie's kitchen stove becoming overheated 
by the natural gas fire and igniting the wood work 
near to it, or some beam taking fire from the heat of 
the stove-pipe. The flames made their presence known 
in such a sudden manner that no time could be taken to 
investigate their origin and it was just as much as the 
occupants of Ritchie's house could do to scramble out of 
bed and get out of the house. James and Wm. Ritchie 
owned the house and conducted a restaurant and took 
lodgers therein. On Friday night when the household 
and their boarders retired, Nellie Keys and Mary Wake- 
field, who did the house work, occupied the front room 
in the second story, James Rodgers, a tailor and Wm. 
T. Grove slept together in the next room, which was in 
the center of the house, and Simon Clay and W r illiam 
Ritchie occupied a bed in the back room, directly over 
the kitchen. In an "L" built from the kitchen James 
Ritchie, Adam Wallsmith and Harry Porter were quar- 
tered for the night. Of all these Rodgers was the first 
to be apprised of the presence of fire in the house. 
About half-past 2 o'clock he was awakened by a suffo- 
cating sensation caused by the smoke which at that time 
had filled the house. He sprang out of bed and shouted 
"Fire !" and then wakened Grove by pulling him out 



108 compendium of edenburg 

on the floor. Every one in the house was quickly 
awake. All the occupants of the second story, except 
Grove, ran to the front part of the house and Clay 
jumped out of the window to the sidewalk below. Those 
sleeping down stairs finding it impossible to get through 
the kitchen, broke a window out and made a hasty exit 
through the opening. The fire had made such an ad- 
vance when discovered that dressing was not to be 
thought of. When James Ritchie got out, his first 
thought was for the safety of those lodging in the sec- 
ond story. Seizing a ladder, which happened to be 
near by, he ran around to the front of the house with it 
and placed it against the house beneath the window 
where the two girls and the others were making prepa- 
ration to jump to the ground. Fortunately every body 
descended the ladder in safety an4 made a miraculous es- 
cape. The borough night watchman, Nelson Johnson, 
saw the flames shooting up four feet through that part 
of the kitchen not directly under the bed room, at the 
same time Rodgers was awakened, and he alarmed the 
citizens by crying "fire," and ran to the burning build- 
ing to render assistance. Ritchie's house was consumed 
in a twinkling with all its contents, excepting what few 
articles of clothing the men and women could snatch up 
in their flight. Clay had escaped in his night shirt and 
stockings, and he immediatelv went to his barn near by 
and got his team of horses. In ten or fifteen minutes 
after the alarm was sounded half the residents of Eden- 
burg were on Main street. Preparations were soon 
made for putting a stream of water on the buildings ad- 
joining Ritchie's. A man went to the borough water 
tank which is located on top of Charity Hill west of 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 109 

town at an elevation of 125 feet above Main street and 
turned on the water. The tank is of 1,000 barrels 
capacity and connected therewith as a contingent force is 
a 500 barrel tank filled with water. A four inch line 
carries the water to the corner of Main and State streets 
and then along the entire length of Main street. Two 
sections of rubber hose were then called into requisition 
and each was attached to a fire plug, but the water 
would not run with any force. To put a stream on a 
building was an utter impossibility. The water iu the 
1,000 barrel tank was frozen over thick and solid and 
the tank had no air vent. The only means of protec- 
tion lay in bucket brigades, and three of these were 
formed by the citizens. The water that came from the 
two hose filled the buckets for two lines of men and 
then another brigade was formed with the right resting 
on the 250 barrel tank in the rear of A. B. Flovd's liv- 
ery barn. The work of passing water then went on 
vigorously. By this time Reiif \s d welling house and Davis 
& NeiFs meat market were burning fiercely and the 
whole of Main street on both sides was threatened. 
Bucket after bucket of water was thrown on the flames 
in rapid succession, but the absence of a steady stream 
from a hose nozzle was deplored more and more as the 
fire advanced. 

The two buildings adjoining Ritchie's were soon re- 
duced. Then Rieff's and Rooney's groceries caught and 
were soon consumed. Penn avenue served as a barrier 
to the advance on the south, although Mrs. L. C. Neelv's 
millinery store, opposite to RiefFs grocery, was some- 
what scorched and was only saved by very hard work. 
From Rooney's grocery on the north the fire spread to 



110 COMPENDIUM OF EDBNBURG 

Radebach cVlr Smith's grocery and wholesale confection- 
ery store and having enveloped that the postoffice was 
caught. Leaping over the narrow alley north of the 
postoffice the fire took the two large stores of G. S. 
Hamm, on the corner of Railroad and Main street-. 
Here was the other limit of the conflagration. The men 
all worked like heroes. Capt. John Barr suffered a fall 
between the buildings that came very near costing him 
his life for if he had gone to the ground he would have 
been hemmed in between two burning buildings and es- 
cape would have been impossible. While Hamm's store 
was burning active measures were being taken to pro- 
tect Crawford & McDowell's fine building on the corner 
of Main and Railroad streets, and here Mr. W. I. Mc- 
Dowell made some strong efforts with pails of water on 
top of the building. Hamm's barn in the rear of the 
store was also destroyed. Sparks flew in every direction 
and the heat was so great that the paint on Crawford A: 
McDowell's building was very much marred. In order 
to save it they braced the north walls of Hamm's store 
with several joints of tubing, each brace being made by 
coupling two joints, so that the walls would incline in- 
ward in falling. This measure wrought the desired ef- 
fect, and undoubtedly prevented the flames from contact 
with the hardware store. The wind favored the north, 
while it was a cause of alarm to Mr. Xeely. The fronts 
of the buildings along the west side of Main street op- 
posite to the fire, also suffered greatly from the heat. 
The glass in many of the windows was cracked. In 
the space of two hours the whole block bounded by 
Railroad and Main streets. Penn avenue and the alley 
running between Main and Ohio streets, with the excep- 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. Ill 

tion of Rieff's barn in the south-east comer of the square, 
was laid in ashes. Mr. Hamm had a large stock of dry 
goods and groceries. It was but a few minutes after the 
fire commenced until half of his goods were on the side- 
walk. He was insured for $6,000. Most of the mail 
in the postoffice was saved. The building was valued at 
$500. Hon. A. W. Smiley occupied the second floor, where 
he was sleeping when the fire occurred. He saved near- 
lv all his furniture and books. Radebach & Smith lost 
most of their goods. The building was worth $550 and 
was insured for $400. Mr. Rooney's property was 
valued at about $300. Davis & Neff's meat market 
was valued at about the same. The Ritchie Brothers 
placed their loss at $1,200, insurance $700. Mr. Rieff 
valued his house at $800, his store at $1,500 and was 
insured for $900. There were several minor losses. 
The girls who worked for Ritchie lost many of their 
clothes. The saddest of all was the life that was lost, 
which account will be given under the heading of "Cas- 
ualties." 

In the beginning of 1880, at a review of the Sabbath 
school one evening, just while Rev. Pinney was praying, 
fire was discovered in the basement of the church, by 
Mr. John Black and Dr. Langfitt, who sat near the 
heaters. Dr. Langfitt rose and said "this house is on 
fire, but do not be alarmed, all can get out." Such a 
rush, some trying to escape through windows, eventu- 
ally all escaped without any harm, and by a very great 
effort the church was saved from cremation. 

On Monday morning Mr. John F. Brown was on 
hand ready to adjust the damages, which amounted to 
about ninety dollars. Mr. Brown has had many calls 



112 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

to Edenburg to adjust insurance claims, and is always 
prompt and honorable. 

o 

EDENBURGERS, PAST AND PRESENT. 
To go backward for a time we wish to mention 
some of the early settlers. Among them was the fami- 
ly of J. L. Forker, Esq., and his excellent wife, who 
came from Rockland in the spring of 1876, and located 
on south Main street. The family was composed of two 
sons, now in the west, and Miss Laura now Mrs. J. I. 
Patterson, Mr. Bentlev, a brilliant young man and quite 
a favorite with the ladies, and Miss Alice, whose twin 
brother, Alvin Lee Forker, was suddenly killed. Near 
the Sweitzer run, in the southern part of town on the 
Best farm there was a limestone quarry. There being a 
great depth of earth on the top of the rock, the work- 
men had dug under the hill in a shelving manner, thus 
revealing the stone without stripping it entire. When 
the men left the quarry at twelve o'clock, Saturday, one 
of these shelves had just beeu made. The body of over- 
hanging earth not being very great, no danger was an- 
ticipated. Three little boys were playing about when 
the men left, but when the men were gone the boys went 
in and were playfully pointing to each other where they 
were going to mine for coal. While in the place little 
pebbles began to rattle down and the mass seemed to be 
giving away. Johnny Spargo at the outer edge had 
turned to move away, when Alvin Forker, who was 
about the center, turned about and screamed "Oh Lew !" 
to the third boy, who had started from under the ledge, 
having noticed signs of the coming fall. The sound had 
scarcely died on his lips, when the mass of earth and 






AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 113 

rocks came tumbling down, burying him from sight. 
The boys made desperate efforts to relieve him, but when 
he was reached life was extinct. The remains were car- 
ried to the nearest house. Dr. Boley was summoned 
but it was ot no avail. 

"A home is dark because of a light gone, in chill of the grave, 

A dear form missed, entombed by the rush and sweep of the deep 

death wave; 
A circle broken, one bright link lost ; brother and son now no more 
Seen on our sin tainted earth, yet lives, safe on the evergreen shore"" 

About the same time came Mr. J. L. Shaner and 
his young wife, also from Rockland. Mr. Shaner and 
his wife were active factors in church work, also in any 
public enterprise. Mr. Shaner had the first jew T elry 
store in Edenburg, and has added to it until now he has 
a large assortment of jewelry and silverware. 

Mr. A. J. Smith and very amiable wife came from 
Rouseville in the spring of 1877, accompanied by Mr. J. 
J. Corlette of the same place. The Smith Bros., started 
the Novelty Iron Works on north Main street, and Mr. 
A. J. Smith had his residence on same street, where it 
still remains. The iron works have been removed to 
the corner of Ohio and Railroad streets, opposite the P. 
& W. depot. Messrs. Smith and Corlette have been, 
and are still among our most reliable business men. Mr. 
Smith is proverbial for his quiet unassuming manners, 
but are any in need Mr. and Mrs. Smith are ever ready 
to assist in a quiet way. Mrs. Smith has been bereft of 
both parents in the last four years. First a fond mother 
was taken. Oh ! how hard to give up a loving mother 
— to lay her in the cold grave ! 

"Yet it is a spot where cares ne'er come, 
Where nature her fond vigils e'er doth keep. 
And pale lips there are still in slumber's dreams, 
Closed to eyes that weep." 



114 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

Soon an affectionate father was called. We feel a 
loneness after the loss of our parents, that no other sor- 
row can bring. 

Mr. J. J. Corlette, not quite a bachelor yet, but some 
of his friends fear that he may be, is a fine businessman, 
who is not afraid of work and is blest with superior 
musical ability, has been leader of the M. E. church 
choir for a long time, and chorister in the Sabbath school 
for many years. 

Mr. W. I. McDowell, one of Edenburg's reliable 
business men, engaged with Mr. E. G. Crawford in the 
hardware and oil well supply business and other inter- 
ests, also from Rouseville, and so near Mr. Corlette's age 
that when the ladies pronounce one a bachelor the other 
may tremble. Mr. McDowell is an elder in the Pres- 
byterian church and Sunday school superintendent. He 
came to Edenburg in September 1879. 

Mr. E. G. Crawford, a semi Edenburger, doing 
business in Edenburg, but having his residence in 
Franklin, Pa. Mr. Crawford has been so long and fa- 
vorably known in the county and also in Venango coun- 
ty, having been prothonotary of that county, that it is 
needless to tell about him, but this we can say that one 
of Edenburg's fair ladies reached his widowed heart 
and made a conquest of it. Miss Julia McLaughlin, 
formerly of Millerst own, Pa., while visiting with Mr. and 
Mrs. Nottingham, with her many charms, won Mr. 
Crawford, and in the winter of 1881 they were married. 
Two little sons cheer their pleasant home. 

Mr. and Mrs. Xottingham came in the spring of 
1877. Mrs. Nottingham is an accomplished lady, being 
one of the most efficient pianists in the country, living 



AND EDENBUEG PEOPLE. 115 

now with her aged parents in Millerstown, Pa. 

Mr. R. K. McCormick is one of Edenburg's bril- 
liant young men, Assistant Cashier of Clarion County 
Bank, a line citizen, always ready to help in any good 
cause. The ladies especially court his assistance in all 
laudable enterprises. 

Mr. B. A. Kribbs, hardly a bachelor, but a great 
business man and quite a favorite with the ladies, as well 
as Mr. George Richardson, who dispenses goods in the 
grocery department of P. F. Kribbs & Son, are charm- 
ing. 

G. S. Mendenhall is another of Edenburg's unmar- 
ried men. Griff is in the torpedo business, ever busy 
and has always been quite a ladies' man. 

Mr. W. B. "Weaver, wife and little daughter Win- 
nie, came to Edeuburg from Forest Home in the spring 
of 1880. Lived on the corner of Main and church 
streets. Mr. Weaver was an official member of the M. 
E. church. Mrs. Weaver was a very cheerful woman, 
Winnie was a little lady. They now reside in Oil City, 
Pa. 

Mr. S. W. Clover, of the Clover House, came to 
Edeuburg early, was married to Miss Mattie Orr, in 
1877, who died in 1882. He was afterward married to 
Miss Rosie Porter ; four children spice their home. 

Mr. G. A. Wheelock came to Edeuburg in early 
oil times, was a pioneer, conducted a meat market for 
some time ; married Miss Gross, daughter of Jno. Gross, 
Esq., of the Gross farm. Mr. Wheelock, with his 
amiable wife made friends rapidly. He is one of those 
kind hearted men who always win. Was largely en- 
gaged in the livery business and other interests as well 



116 COMPENDIUM OF ED EN BURG 

as oil. Always honorable and clever and is uow the 
Sheriff of Clarion county. Mr. and Mrs. AVheelock 
were excellent citizens and had a pleasant home with 
their three little hoys, Elmer, Albert and Willie, and 
were very much missed when they removed to Clarion. 

Mr. T. C. McMasters, one of the pioneers, was 
first in Mr. Nachman's jewelry store, afterward had a 
stationery and jewelry store in the poston". e, went up 
step by step until he now has a fine jewelry and station- 
ery store, with the express office for one line — has a 
pleasant home, where Mrs. McMasters presides as queen 
of the household, with their three interesting children, 
Tommie, Jessie and Lester. 

Mr. M. H. Marcus, the great merchant tailor of 
Edenburg, was one of the early inhabitants. He came 
to stay and was not discouraged with a few fires. Mr. 
and Mrs. Marcus are among our highly esteemed citi- 
zens, with their accomplished daughters, Miss Beckie, 
now Mrs. Leo Katz and Miss Mellie who is still at 
home. Mr. Marcus has a fine trade. 

Mr. Brockstine, who is foreman for Mr. Marcus 
with his interesting wife and little family lives on Penn 
avenue. They are native Germans, well educated in 
the German language and the Hebrew, and are fast be- 
coming Americanized. 

Miss Mary E. Carroll, the lady foreman in Mr. 
Marcus' establishment, is proficient in her department 
and a lady in her manners. 

Miss Ella Murphy, also in Mr. Marcus' employ, is 
a lively, cheerful young lady, and particularly noted for 
fine personnel and goodness of heart. 

Misses Wassum and Crick, the oldest millinery 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 117 

firm dow in the business, have a fine establishment and 
a pleasant home. Miss Kate Wassum is a native Ger- 
man, came to this country when ten years old, and not- 
withstanding being brought up in America, she still re- 
tains enough of the foreign accent to make her conver- 
sation more interesting. She is naturally lively, viva- 
cious and kind. Miss Crick, a pleasant amiable lady, 
has endured much feebleness of health, is noted for her 
amiability and kindness of heart. This firm has a fine 
trade. 

Mrs.- Anna Spargo, widow of the late P. Spargo, 
has pleasant rooms on Main street, where she keeps a 
ten cent counter and also a first class dress-making es- 
tablishment. She and her little son Frankie have a pleas- 
ant home. Mrs. Spargo, with her deceased husband, 
were among the earliest citizens, have passed through 
several scorchings, but have been brave to bear all. 

Miss Anna Boyle, who is eonnected with Mrs. Spar- 
go, is an amiable young lady and an acceptable Sabbath 
school worker. Her home is in Riinersbura:, Pa. 

Mrs. Carrie Yates, of the American House, and her 
daughter Ella and little son Robbie, are pleasantly lo- 
cated and kept very busy. The American House has 
an extensive patronage. Mrs. Yates has distinguished 
herself for her energy to press forward under discour- 
agements. 

Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Neeley at corner of Main street 
and Penn avenue, have a fine business site. Mrs. Neeley 
keeps a first class millinery and dry goods store, and 
has a good trade. Mrs. Neely is much interested in 
fancy work. She and Mr. X. and their little son Eben 
enjoy life and happiness. 



118 COMPENDIUM OF EDEN BURG 

Mr. J. A. Jordan was perhaps the first merchant 
tailor who migrated to the new town, came from Reyn- 
oldsville, Jefferson county, in 1877. Has continued his 
business successfully and is doing a fine business now. 
Mr. Jordan has had Miss Ida Clark as lady foreman 
most of the time for several years. Mr. Jordan has 
withstood the charms of very many fascinating ladies, 
but it is supposed by his friends that he is likely to be 
beckoned away from bachelordom into a state of con- 
nubial happiness. 

Miss Ida Clark is a lady in her manner and ad- 
dress, a competent tailoress and has resided here for sev- 
eral years. 

Miss May McLaughlin, also in Mr. Jordan's estab- 
lishment, is a very amiable young lady. Her parents, 
Mr. and Mrs. McLaughlin, with Master Homer and 
Miss Bell, live on Railroad street. 

Mr. and Mrs. M. C. Gibson, on east side of Main 
street, have a large dry goods millinery and shoe store, 
where they have a fine trade. Mrs. Gibson is an ac- 
complished financier. Their home and store are cen- 
trally located. Miss Jennie, now attending school at 
Pittsburg Female College, is quite an accomplished 
young lady. The other members of the family are Frank, 
John, Harry, Claudie, Maud and Gladdis. 

Mr. H. J. Bethune's drug store is on the north 
side of State street. Mr. and Mrs. Bethune came in 
1877, and have been active citizens. Miss Clara, their 
eldest daughter was educated at Wesleyan Seminary, in 
the Old Dominion, and is an accomplished young lady. 
Miss Rhettie's education has been a practical business 
one, she having had a confectionery and notion store 






AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 119 

ever since she was quite a small girl. Master Horace 
has a situation in the Clarion County Bank. 

Mr. J. I. Patterson, druggist, has a lucrative busi- 
ness on west side of Main street and also a pleasant 
home. Mr. Patterson came from Freeport, Pa. After 
an extended acquaintance with Miss Laura Forker, they 
concluded the best thing they could do would be to 
climb life's rugged steeps together. 

Mr. and Mrs. H. Hibbard, now live on Penn av- 
enue, but have purchased a nice location on Kribbs 
street, where they expect to erect a handsome residence 
in the near future. Mr. Hibbard has his billiard par- 
lor on State street. 

Mr. H. R. Burgess, druggist, came to Edenburg in 
1877. He did a fine business and was a favorite as a 
business man, but after being burned out twice thought 
he could do better. He went to the upper oil field, and 
now has returned and located on east side of Main street 
where he is having a lucrative trade. 

Mr. and Mrs. J. Murray Bethune, have their gro- 
cery store on east side of Main street and do a fine busi- 
ness. Have their home on west side. Came from For- 
est Home where they had lived for several years. Their 

son John, a student in the Seminary at East Randolph, 

New York, with Misses Essie and Minnie compose the 

family group. 

Mr. and Mrs. John Hotaling reside on west side of 

Main street, and his blacksmith shop is on the east side. 

Mr. Hotaling was a brave soldier. He rises early and 

retires late to coin money by the hammer and anvil. 

Their home is blest with Mr. George and Miss Emma, 



120 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 

both grown up, Masters Calvin, Paul, Sim and Win- 
field. 

Mr. Robert Whitehall and wife, who have built a 
nice residence on east side of Main street, with his wag- 
on shop adjoining, are nicely located with their daughter 
Miss Alice and two little sons. Death has entered this 
home several times and left a vacant seat. 

Mr. Jacob Mong, who has control of a number of 
acres on the north-east corner of the Mendenhall farm, 
is pleasantly located on the side hill. Mr. & Mrs. 
Mong have quite a family. Miss Florence, a music 
teacher, Miss Jessie, a school teacher, Misses Carrie, 
Mary and Virgie, Mr. Harry in business in Pittsburg, 
and the youngest, Frankie. 

Mr. J. Weible, a native German with his sons has 
been in A. J. Smith's employ for several years. They 
are a fine family. Andrew the third son is quite an in- 
valid. 

Mr. Craig, formerly of Forest Home, whose eldest 
daughter Alice was married to J. Kesner, deceased, and 
three sisters compose the family. Mrs. Craig died sev- 
eral years since. 

H. R. Radebach, whose grocery and dry goods 
store is on the east side of Main street, where he does a 
good business, has built a nice new home within a year 
on west side of Main street, Mrs. Radebach and Master 
George being his only company, their daughters Ella 
and Carrie being married. Miss Carrie married Mr. 
Ora Smith, of Oil City, and Miss Ella married Mr. F. 
Smith, of Curwensville, Pa. 

Mr. R. W. Buzza has a pleasant home on west side 
of Main street. Mr. and Mrs. Buzza are from England. 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 121 

Mrs. Buzza was raised in the city of Liverpool, a very 
well accomplished lady and an expert pianist. They 
have a very interesting family, viz : Masters Albert 
and Alpha, twins, Willie and Duncan with Miss Amie. 
Death has plucked a sweet flower from this little group. 

Mr. Wm. Bnzza, of north Main street, with his es- 
timable lady have had quite a large family, but are now 
left alone, their children having settled in life. These 
aged people are from England. Father Buzza, as he is 
called was the Sabbath school teacher of Bev. E. M. 
Kernick, in Cornwall, England. 

Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Loomis, on north Main street, 
came more recently. Mr. Loomis is the Superintend- 
ent of the Oil City Gas Company, has his office on cen- 
tral Main street. Mrs. Loomis is organist in the Pres- 
byterian church choir, and a fine musician. With their 
niece, Miss Mattison, they have a very cheerful home. 

Mr. D. Harley, foreman in the Clarion County 
Mill, has a neat residence on Penn avenue. Mrs. Har- 
ley is noted for her culture of flowers, always having 
the bay-window full of blooms. Miss Flora, Masters 
Harry and Freddie cheer their home. 

Mrs. Dr. W. M. Clover, with her daughter Dadie, 
has a pleasant home on Bailroad street. Mrs. Clover is 
a well educated lady, is very stroug minded and spends 
much of her time caring for the sick. 

Mr. Thomas Kilgour, with his cheerful wife and 
numerous family, have their home on Penn avenue. 
Mr. Kilgour has his shoe shop on central Main street. 
Is blest with many bright little children, but death en- 
tered and plucked one from the group. 



122 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

"A mother's joy 

A father's toy, 

With shining eye, 

Clear as the sky, 

With pouting lips, and dimpled chin, 

With separate charm each heart to win, 

A guileless babe that knew no sin, 

Who wears white shining robes." 

Capt. M. McCanna, wife and little Gracie, reside 
on Railroad street. They have not been in the place 
long, but have made a very favorable impression since 
their arrival. The Captain was a valiant soldier in the 
late rebellion. Enlisted April 21st, 1861, in the three 
months service, was discharged August 24th. Re-enlist ed 
the same (lav in 78th P. V. C, Col. Sirwell's regiment 
then recruiting at Camp Orr, Kittanning, Pa., and was 
elected 1st Lieutenant of Co. B.; was promoted to Cap- 
tain December 27th, 1862, on the battle field at Stone 
River for defeating, with the assistance of another com- 
pany, the crack regiment of the Confederacy, called the 
Rock City Guards. This was accomplished by two 
companies of the 78th regiment. Capt. McCanna was 
in 27 engagements and was discharged November 4th, 
1864. On February 17th, received a commission from 
Gov. Curtin to recruit a full company and was appoint- 
ed to the Captaincy of Co. K. 104 Reg't., in the army 
of Virginia and stationed at Petersburg. Was dis- 
charged at close of the war Sept. 4th, 1865. 

Mr. F. Harley on Penn avenue was the builder of 
the Clarion County Mills. Since he sold it, has been 
engaged in the oil business with Mr. John Mehrten. 
Mr. Harley married Miss Mary Mehrten, daughter of 
Mr. J. Mehrten. He and his young wife have a neat 
home and are blest with a beautiful little daughter. 

Mr. N. Neff has a pleasant home on Penn avenue. 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 123 

Mr. and Mrs. Xeff have taken the joys and griefs inci- 
dent to Edenburg, for a number of years. Miss Leanna 
is a very interesting young lady now in the gala day of 
life and Mr. Clark, their son, has chosen the wiser way 
to educate himself, consequently is a student at the State 
Normal iu Clarion, Pa. Mr. Neff has his meat market 
on Main street. 

Mrs. M. D. Hazelett, widow of the late Wm. 
Hazelett, who was a soldier, with her three little daugh- 
ters, Myra, Cora and Nannie, reside on Penn avenue 
and have a cheerful home. Still there is an empty chair, 
the circle is incomplete, the father is not there. But 
while his wife and children miss him 

"Sweetly he sleeps in his lonely bed, 

Peacefully resteth the weary head, 

Done with the care and labor of life, 

Done with the conflict and the strife. 

Pain and sorrow and sufferings o'er, 

He waits for his loved ones on the other shore," 

William W. Hazlett enlisted in Co. F. 105th Reg- 
iment Pa. Vol., September 17th, 1861, was promoted to 
corporal September 1st, 1864 ; promoted to sergeant 
December 17th, 1864; mustered out with company 
July 11th, 1865. 

On Penn avenue lives Mr. Hugh Donovin, pro- 
prietor of the Edenburg Boiler Works. Mr. and Mrs. 
Donovin are natives of Ireland. Have been residents 
of the town for several years. Mr. Donovin clears 
much money in his business and has a very neat resi- 
dence. Miss Lizzie, their eldest daughter now resides 
in Oil City and is a neat tailoress. Miss Katie is at 
home, also Hugh, jr., a very reliable young man. 

Mrs. Ellen Sweet has her home on the avenue. Here 
too death has taken the father, Mr. Sweet, a good chris- 



124 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBUKG 

tian man, who had endured much pain from an injury, 
from which he suffered for several years. At last he was 
to go, and left a number of children. Robert, the eld- 
est, a fine young man is a comfort to his mother, also 
Morely, a clever, industrious boy. Mrs. Sweet has much 
comfort with her small children. She is an amiable lady. 

Mr. W. Smith and his excellent wife live next on 
the avenue. Very fine citizens. Their son; are partic- 
ularly noted for their talent in music. Mr. Freeman 
Smith is leader of the McMasters' brass band. 

Mrs. AVenk also lives on the avenue with her little 
daughter Regina and son Charles. She is an industri- 
ous fugal woman, who has been left to meet life's trials 
alone. She conducts a laundry. 

Mr. Benjamin Hardester has perhaps as fine a prop- 
erty as is on the street. Has large grounds around his 
house, and is surrounded by the most luxuriant shrub- 
bery and flowers. He is certainly a successful horticul- 
turist and florist. He seems to enjoy live very much all 
alone. 

Mrs. Addison Burns has her home on the avenue, 
with her little family, lives quietly and independently. 
Has many friends. 

Messrs. David and Harry Reiff have their home on 
the avenue. Their mother and sister preside over it 
with much care. The Reiff Bros, have been scorched 
several times. The fire of February, 1886, destroyed 
both their house and store, but they went dauntlessly 
forward and rebuilt, and have a neat home and a good 
business on corner of Main and Penn avenue. 

Mrs. N. Foster, on North Main street. Her father, 
Mr. James Newell resides with her. He is aged 82 



AND EDENBUKG PEOPLE. 125 

years, is able to clo a good days work — strong and well. 
Mrs. Foster's health being impaired by rheumatism she 
is blest by having a faithful daughter and little son. 
Miss Myrtle is certainly a very trustworthy girl of on- 
ly 14 years, kind and thoughtful beyond her years. 
Johnnie is a bright little boy. 

Mr. Robert Hoge lives next to Mrs. Foster. An 
energetic worker, an employee on the United Pipe Line. 
He and his industrious wife have two little boys, Willie 
and Albert, who have more business capacity than many 
grown up persons. 

Mr. John Murphy, who occupies the house on cor- 
ner of straight and crooked Main street, is absent from 
home much of the time. Mrs. Murphy, Miss Ella, 
Emma and Cora, compose the family. Miss Ella is 
learning the tailoring trade with Mr. Marcus, and is 
bright, cheerful and lively. 

Mr. D. W. Lewis came to Edenburg early. Married 
Miss Mary Honnor, lives on South Main street and have 
a very nice little daughter. Mr. Lewis has had charge 
of J. L. Miller's grocery store on Main street for several 
years. Is also Notary Public. 

Mr. Hale, the genial clerk in Kribbs' clothing store, 
is a very reliable gentleman, and something of a ladies' 
man. 

Mr. W. I. Stewart, the gentlemanly proprietor of 
the dining hall on Main street, with his young wife and 
two interesting children compose a pleasant family. Mr. 
Stewart does a fine business. 

Mr. J. McKissick on West State street, with his 
pleasant wife and numerous family. Death has marked 



126 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBUEG 

their home by taking from it two of its jewels, leaving 
three bright children to comfort them. 

Mr. Boarts, a worthy man with his faithful wife 
have lived in their home on State street for several 
years. Their children are grown up. 

Mrs. Wiant, a very aged lady, who lives with her 
daughter, Mrs. Thompson, is next to the oldest person 
in the place, being over 90 years old. 

Mr. Jessie M. Smith and his intelligent wife and 
little son, have a pleasant home, but not without having 
the shadows fall upon them in the death of their little 
son Bertie. Bertie was a very bright boy, but disease 
of the heart, originating from rheumatic affection, made 
him its victim. He was a very patient sufferer, but 
death came and released him. The fond parents could 
say with the poet, 

"Sorrowing hearts are ours to-night 
And painfully our pulses swell ; 
There rests a shadow and a blight 
Where light and gladness used to dwell. 
While thinking of a lovely form 
That rests benath the church yard mould ; 
A brow with love's sweet sunshine warm 
In other days ; now damp and cold." 

Mr. A. B. Floyd next to Mr. Smith. Mr. Floyd 
purchased the J. D. Miller property, and has improved 
and beautified it until it is quite a pleasant home, where 
Mrs. Floyd presides with care. Frankie and Gracie 
are very interesting children. Mr. Floyd has his livery 
barn on central Main street. 

Mr. John Morley next purchased the \Y. S. Brown 
property, which with some improvements makes them a 
cheerful home. Mrs. Morley and their son Walter en- 
joy it mostly by themselves. Mrs. Morley is a very 
amiable lady. 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 127 

Mr. and Mrs. Lay, next on north side of State 
street, have a very attractive home. With their charming 
little son the time passes swiftly by in their leisure 
hours. 

Mrs. Keho, who resides with her daughter, Mrs. 
J. C. Johnson, is one who came early to the town and 
is very much missed when absent. 

Mr. J. H. Benn and family reside on south side of 
State street. The family is composed of Mr. and Mrs, 
Benn and their three daughters, Stella, Alma and Ula. 

Mr. T. W. West and family of the Clarion County 
National were formerly Clarionites. Mr. and Mrs. 
West are very fine citizens with their little family group, 
Myrtle, Willie, Attie and Mabel are quite an acquisition 
to society. 

Mr. J. C. West with his young wife and little son 
live on same side of State street, 

N. N. Booth's fine carriage emporium is in the old 
Clarion House on north side- of State street. 

Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Jeffords next with little May 
and G. S. Mendenhall enjoy their pleasant home. 

Mr. S. Gibbs, Boot and Shoe Emporium on east 
Main street, has built a nice residence on north side of 
State street, Mr. Gibbs cannot help but succeed with 
the help of Mrs. Gibbs' in the store. He has been 
burned out oftener than any other party in town, which 
has given him the title of irrepressible. Sylvia and 
Leroy are also great helps to him. 

Miss Emma Benn, Mrs. T. J. Van Geisen and 
Mrs. H. T. Jolly have a fashionable dressmaking par- 
lor on second floor of Kribbs' block. 

Mr. and Mrs. J. Altman on east side of south Main 



128 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBUKG 

street, have a pleasant home, where, with their li ble son, 
they have much comfort. 

Mr. and Mrs. McDowell, with their Litfc] i daugh- 
ter Mamie, have come in quite recently. 

Mr. J. L. Shaner, wife and son Charlie have a 
pleasant home. Master Charlie, although a small boy, 
is quite a musician, and is a member of the McMaster's 
brass band. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bumpus, who live in the Presbyte- 
rian parsonage, have quite a large family and are pleas- 
antly loeated. 

Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn live on the west side of 
south Main street. 

" Dr. A. Beatty resides on the same side of Main 
street, with his sister, Miss Jennie. They live in a 
quiet, courteous style, enjoy their friends and acquain- 
tances very much indeed. 

Mr. J. J. Dantman, on the east side of street, live- 
alone as neatly as if there were a lady's hand to arrange 
his domicil. Mr. Dautman cleanses gentlemen's clothes. 
He was a soldier in the late rebellion. 

Mr. and Mrs. John Hubbard, two of our excellent 
citizens, live just off the street ashort distance. For kind- 
ness of heart and good feeling they cannot be excelled. 
Their pleasant family is composed of two sons and three 
daughters. Ethel is quite a little missionary. Death 
has also entered this household to pluck from the parent 
stem the little tendrils. 

But the pleasures which we are on earth denied. 
In heaven will be ours. 

Near to them are Mr. and Mrs. McCoy, almost 
strangers but are pleasant citizens. 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 129 

Mr. and Mrs. John Horton live near, and with 
their little adopted child enjoy life. 

Mr. and Mrs. H. Price, the editors of the Observer, 
arc next on the street. They have a very interesting 
little family. Mrs. Price is a first class compositor, 
which is a great assistance to Mr. Price. It is a great 
advantage to a husband to have a wife who can assist in 
his business. 

Mr. R. Orr, of the Edenbnrg House, with Mrs. 
Orr and Miss Emma, are among the early residents, 
ha vino; had charge of the house much of the time for ten 

vears. In two or three instances he has let it to other 

«/ 

parties, but invariably returns. 



THE SCHOOLS OF EDENBURG. 

In the summer of 1876, there were but few children 
in Edenburg. All who were of school age attended the 
Shady City school. In the winter of that year, Mrs. 
Charles Brown of Millerstown, Pa., opened a select 
school in her own house on Straight Main street, which 
she conducted in a most efficient manner. In the sum- 
mer of 1877, the School Board erected a commodious 
building containing four rooms for a union school. The 
school opened the following autumn, with Prof. T. A. 
Mays as principal, and the following teachers employed 
a part of the time, viz : Profs. Campbell, Gill and Miss 
Moffitt. 

1878 — Prof. A. C. Davis, principal ; Mrs. Charles 
Brown and Miss Moffitt, teachers. 



130 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

1879 — Prof. A. C. Davis, principal ; Miss Margie 
Welker, now Mrs. Axgo, and Miss Nellie Lyon, now Mrs. 
H. Amo, as teachers. 

1880 — Prof. J. G. Anderson, principal ; Miss Wel- 
ker and Miss Ella Reed, teachers. 

1881 — Prof. J. G. Anderson, principal ; Miss Mar- 
gie Welker and Miss Jennie McDowell, now of Brad- 
ford, Pa., teachers. 

1882 — Prof. L. C. Evans, principal ; Misses Ella 
Reed, Hannah Nickel and Lottie Speer, teachers. 

1883 — Prof. J. Core Trainer, principal, with Misses 
Floda McCombs and Margie Whitehill, teachers. 

1884 — Prof. William Gardner, principal, with 
Misses McComb and Whitehill. 

1885— Profs. S. H. Clair and A. S. Foreman, 
principals, with Misses McComb, Whitehill and Mong 
teachers. 

1886 — Prof. J. M. Travis, principal, with Misses 
Estella Johnson, Aletta Rossman and Jessie Mong. 

The school rooms are furnished with Globes, Maps 
and Aggy's new anatomical charts. 

The lady teacher, who has spent most time in the 
schools here, was Miss Margie Welker, now Mrs. Argo, 
who is now in the intinerant work. The next, Miss 
Floda McComb, who is attending the State Normal at 
Clarion, Pa. Miss Ella Reed and Miss Margie White- 
hill have both been in the school as very acceptable 
teachers. Most of the other ladies have taken homes 
of their own to care for. Miss Nellie Lyon now Mrs. 
Hugh Amo, resides on Penn avenue, has a pleasant hus- 



AND EPENBURG PEOPLE. 131 

band and little son, Angus. Miss Jennie McDowell 
whose home is in Bradford, Pa., has been an invalid 
much of the time since she left Edenburg. 

Prof. J. INI. Travis, was a very successful teacher. 
His method of practical illustrations has been too little 
used in the county, but the instructors are awakening to 
a sense of its importance. We insert here an article 
from the Clarion Comity National 

EDUCATIONAL MEETING. 
Friday evening. 8th hist., the M. E. church was well filled to hear the 
closing- addresses of the pupils of No. 1, 2, 3 and 4. The interesting exer- 
cises were opened with prayer by Rev. J. H. Keeley. The day being the 
one appointed by the Conty Superintendent, to examine the class for grad- 
uating in No. 4 grade of public school, taught by Prof. J. M. Travis. Six 
pu«ls were in the class, viz : Misses Alice Forker, Emma Hotaling, Maud 
VahGeisen, Stella Benn ; Messrs. Harry Best and Ernest Hess. The Super- 
intendent reported all the class as having passed a very creditable exami- 
nation, and some having gone above the standard per cent. The examining 
committee consisted of Messrs. J. C. Hill, R. K. McCormick and Rev. H. F. 
Earseman. Some pleasing exercises by a number of the pupils from grades 
1 2 and 3 worthy of special mention was the "Welcome," spoken by Miss 
Lena Guiher. a pupil in No. 1. While all were creditable, some exercises 
were very fine. The valedictory by Miss Alice Forker was beautiful in 
thought and composition, and was read with an easy grace, which would 
have done credit to one older in years. The awarding of diplomas and re- 
marks of Prof. C. F. McNutt, the Superintendent, were very interesting. 
The exercises throughout were interspersed with very fine vocal and in- 
strumental music, rendered by Mr. J. J. Corlette and choir, with Miss 
Louie Best as organist. The duet, "Under the Moonlit Sky," sang by 
Misses Maud Van Geisen and Jennie Best, was charming. The school has 
dene some very fine work during the past seven months. The Professor 
was exact, perhaps more so than many pupils enjoyed, ; but that is what 
makes expert scholars. We understand that two of the members of the 
graduating class came up from the B. grade during the term, ind by close 
application passed some who were in the A. grade. "The race is not always 
to the swift, nor the battle to the strong," but victory intellectually must 
come by close application to study. He who seeks valuable gems must dig 
deep to find riiem. So he, who would win Intellectual laurels must go to 
the root, and understand the principles upon which, that which he seeks 
is founded. It is to be hoped that all the students may catch a new inspir- 
ation and when they have another golden opportunity to gather gems, 
that they mav not be satisfied with surface pebbles. The Professor and 
his assistants have labored faithfully to bring up the pupils under their 
care, and have seen a marked advancement in their progress as the result. 

A Lover of Education. 



132 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBUKG 

FRATERNITIES. 

Edenburg has many of them. We propose to give 

them with the board of officers created at the organiza- 
tion and also the present officers. 

EDENBURG LODGE, NO. 550, F. AND A. M. 
Instituted March hi, 1877. 
Officers :— Frank Merrick. W. M.: Alfred Sniedly, S. W.; Joseph B. Pain- 
ter, J. W.; Robert Bryan, treasurer; Oliver P. Happer secretary. 

Present Officers:— Benton A. Krihbs, W. M.; David A. Harley, S. W.; 
G G. Shoemaker, J. W.; T. C. McMastere, treasurer; John J. Corlette, sec- 
retary. 

EDEN CHAPTER. NO. 259, R. A. M. 

Instituted in 1878. 

Officers :— Robert A. Fuller, M. E. H. P.; George Sheffield, King; H. S. 
Lockhart, Scribe; Joseph H. Wilbur treasurer; J. Wilson Greenland sec- 
retary . * 

Present Officers .—Rev. B. F. Delo, M. E. H. P.: T. C. McMastera, King ; 
Benton A. Kribbs, Scribe; George Youkers. treasurer; H. S. Lockhart, sec- 
retary. 

This order have many banquets and receptions. We 
here insert an account of one taken from the National : 

Edenburg Lodge. No. 550, gave a grand reception at Masonic Hall on 
the evening of the 23d. The reception was in keeping with previous affairs 
of the kind given, being up to the standard in every particular. The re- 
ception was held in the grand hall of the Lodge in Kribbs' block. This 
hall is use by the Blue Lodge and Chapter. Richly carpeted and furnished, 
decorated with the various insignia of the Mystic Rites, the room present- 
ed a scene of splendor. The banquets, which, for elegance, vied with any 
previous effoi't of Edenburg caterers, was served at the Edenburg House. 
During the entire evening an orchestra, stationed in the hall, discovirsed 
enchanting music. The affair was noted as the most delightful and select 
of the season, and in keeping with the high reputation the members have 
always so worthily sustained in making so very pleasant all their similar 
gatherings, Appended is a list of the participants : Mr. and Mrs. G. S. 
Hamm, Mr. and Mrs M. H. Marcus, Miss Jennie Hover, Mr. and Mrs. T. 
C. McMasters, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Dobson, Miss Nellie Cuffman, Mr. and 
Mrs. J. D. Cuffman, Dr. G. G. Shoemaker and 'lady, Jessie Youkers, Mr. 
and Mrs. D. O. White, Mrs. M. F. Delo, Dr. A. S. Dobbs, Mr. and Mrs. C. M. 
Kiser, Miss Louie Best, Mr. George Youkers, Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Harley, 
Miss Lillie Williams, Mr. James Maguire, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Nicholson, 
Miss Jennie Walker, Mr. J, B. Painter, Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Johnson, Miss 
Lena Beck, Mr. J. A. Jordan, Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Black, Miss Sadie Mays, 
Mr. C. E. Berlin, Mr. and Mrs. R R. Snyder, Miss Jennie Gibson, Mr. J. J. 
Corlette and B. A. Kribb9. 



AND EDEKBURG PEOPLE. 133 

I. O. O. F., XNOX LODGE, NO. 954. 

This order was organized and had first installation April 4th 1878. 

Officers: — Noble Grand, L. F. Barger ; Vice Grand, J. H. Haun ; Sec- 
retary. J. C. Zuver; Assistant Secretary, E. S. Kinch; Treasurer, J. W 
McElhattan. 

Present Officers :— Noble Grand, S. L. Carpenter ; Vice Grand, George 
Hime ; Secretary, D. W. Lewis; Assistant Secretary, G. G. Dangler ; Treas- 
urer, Thomas Brown. 

Mr. J. G. Mendenhall was a member of Clarion 
LooVe, Xo. 252, and was the oldest member in the 

to * ' 

county. When quite a young man he traveled through 
the southern states and became acquainted with the or- 
der, made application for admission and was accepted 
and initiated in the city of Natchez, Miss. He remained 
there three months to get all the degrees, which he did 
by dispensation, up to the encampment degrees. 

A O. U. W. EDENBURG LODGE, NO. 115. 
Organized August 16, 1877. 
Officers:— P. M. W., R. L. Bowman; M. W., Hugh Amo ; F.. A. O. 
Benjamin; O., L. C. Serekeugost; G., J. H.Thompson; Recorder. J. W. 
Kenniston ; F., G. L. Underwood ; R.. B. F. Jarvis; I. W., R. E. Cage ; O. 
W., George Goodyear. Trustees, S. W. Young, R. L, Bowman, J. K. Elli- 
ott. Medical examiner, Jefferson Litz. Representatives to Grand Lodge, 
R. L. Bowman. 

Present Officers :— P. M. W., T. M. Berlin ; M. W.. O. E. Olson; Fore- 
man, P. Kilgore; Overseer, H. Reiff; Guide, R. S. Brown; Recorder, J. 
M. Br there; Financier, W. F. Myers; Receiver, W. F. Delp; I. W., J. I. 
Patterson; O. W., Thomas Brown ; Trustees, J. H. Mehrteu, J. I. Pater 
son, J. A. Gravis; Medical examiner, W.F.Myers; Representative to 
Grand Lodge, Dr. W. F. Myers. 

CLARION LEGION. NO. 24, SELECT KNIGHTS A. O. U. W. 
Organized December 18th, 1885. 

Officers:— P. C, J. M. Brothers; Com., G. S. Hamm; V. C, J. R. 
Black ; Ht. C, J. L. Shanar ; Recorder, W. F. Myers ; Rec Treasurer, N. 
N. Booth; Treasurer, J. M. Bethune; Marshal, J. A. Travis; St. rd, W. H. 
H. Curtis; Sr. Workman. J. II. Mehrten : Junior Workman, C. H. Reift'; 
GrdofLeg, R. S. Brown; Trustees, E. Eichner, W. H. H. Curtis, J. H. 
Mehrten 

Present Officers :— P. C. G S. Hamm ; Com.. J. R. Black ; V. C. J. L. 
Shanar; Ht. C, J. A. Travis; Uec. J. M. Brothers; Rec. Treasurer, N. 
N. Booth; Treasurer. J. H Mehrten; Marshal, C. H. Reiff; St. rd Recor., 
R. Piper; Sr. Workman. Ellis Hall ; Jr. Workman, J. I Patterson ; Grd 
of Leg., W. F. Myers; Trustees, W. H. H. Curtis, J. H. Mehrten. N. N. 
Booth. 



134 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

This is a line order, has been prompt in payment, 
and its death rate in this immediate vicinity has been 
greater than some other orders. On street parade on 
Decoration Day the Select Knights' excelled. 

FRIENDSHIP LODGE, 1055, KNIGHTS OF HONOR. 

Organized April 29, 1879. by D. G and S. A. Hughs. 

Charter Members:— F. M. Denniston, G. L. Underwood, John G. Tate, 
J. B. Potter, C. By son, John B. Maitland, Willim Jahn. John Richardson. 
Wm. F. Hamilton, A D. Sloan, E. L. Sackett, D. J. Wynkoop, Alex. S. 
Miller, J. H. Benn, F. J. Smith, E. W. Northrop, W. A. Johnson, J. A. 
Hillyer, L. S. Vorous. W. B. Allison, John D. Millikin, E. B. Davis, F. T. 
Whitehall, E. Aultman, H. Ruche, A. J. Smith, Jefferson D. Smith, Charles 
E. Shaw, C. A. Wheelock, Herman Stern, Jas. Bell. W. C. Davis. 

FIRST OFFICERS ELECTED AT ORGANIZATION, APRIL 29, 1878. 

A. D. Sloan, Post Dictator; F. T. Wh'tehill, Assistant Post Dictator: 
D, J. Wnykoop, Vice Dictator; F. T. Whitehill, Assistant Vice Dictator; 
J. B. Potter, Reporter; G. L. Underwood, Financial Reporter; A. S. Miller, 
Treasurer; F. J. Smith,- Guide ; J. D. Milliken, Chaplain; J. G. Tate, 
Guardian : W. A. J. Johnson, Sentinel. Trustees.— E. W. Northrop, E. B. 
Davis, J. B. Maitland. 

OFFICERS ELECTED JANUARY 1, 1887. 

W. H. Berlin, P. D.; John W. White, Dictator; A. M. Peters, Vice Dic- 
tator; S. L. Carpenter, Assistant Dictator; D. W. Lewis, Reporter; Allen 
McLean, Financial Reporter; M. H. Marcus, Treasurer; John Fagley, 
Guide; Andrew Wright. Chaplain; J. H. Benn, Guardian; W. F. Delp. 
Sentinel, 

The entire number taken into this order since its 
organization, including charter members, 122. 

THE KNIGHTS AND LADIES OF HONOR. 

This order was organized February 9th, 1882, with a list of eighty-seven 
charter members. 

Officers :— Allen McLean, Pretector ; Mrs. Emma L. Smith, Vice Pro- 
tector; T. C. McMasters. Secretary ; F. L. Bensinger, Financial Secretary ; 
R. W. Smith, Treasurer ; Mrs. J. W. Leadenham. Chaplain ; A. J. Smith. 
Guide; F. T. Whitehill, Guardian: Daniel Brown, Sentinel : W. F. Myers 
and J. W. Leadenham. medical examiners. P. Spargo,0. G. Moore and J. 
T. Hillman, Trustees. 

Present Officers:— J. R. Neely, Past Protecter; N. N. Booth, Protector; 
Mrs. Ella G. Jeffords, Vice Protector ; W. F. Myers, Secretary and Finan- 
cial Secretary ; Mrs. A. M. Spargo, Chaplain; R. K. McCormiek, Guide; 
Mrs. M. H. Marcus, Guardian; S. X. McClellan, Sentinel; W. F. Myers, 
Medical Examiner. Allen McLean, M. H. Marcus, S. X. McClelland, Trus- 
tees. Present membership 58. 






AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. LdO 

The Knights and Ladies of Honor, as an organiza- 
tion is the most social of any. They usually hold socials 
weekly or less frequently around at the homes of the 
members and thus maintain friendly intercourse. 

EDENBURG UNION. NO. 400, E. A. U. 
Organized January 31st. 1882, with a Charter membership of 77. 

Officers :— Gus A. Clark, Chancellor ; John Austin, Advocate ; James 
Woodington, President; Mrs. Mary Lewis, Vice President; Mrs. M. M. 
Woodington. Auxilliary ; F. G. Sackett, Secretary ; W. F. Myers, Account- 
ant ; Benton A. Kribbs, Treasurer; Rev. W. L. Riley, Chaplain; J. G. 
Tate, Warden ; Miss Annie Riley, Sentinel ; E. S. Crumb, Watchman ; W. 
Buzza, Conductor; Mrs. E. S. Crumb, Assistant Conductor ; W. F. Myers, 
Medical examiner; Trustees, B. A. Kribbs, John Austin, J. M. Bethune, 
J. G. Tat«, W. R. Buzza, J. T. Wilson. 

Present Officers :—W. R. Buzza, Chancellor; G. A. Clark, Advocate ; 
W. F. Delp, President ; Mrs. J. Austin, Vice President: Mrs. Jno. Mor- 
lev, Auxilliary; John Austin. Seeretary ; W. F. Myers, Accountant; A. 
Weckerly, Treasurer; Mrs. Susie ClarK, Chaplain ; W.J. Smith, Warden ; 
Mrs. M. J. Bethune, Sentinel; Samuel Bruner, Watchman ; Mrs. W.J. 
Smith, Conductor; W. F. Myers. Medical examiner ; George A. Clark, 
Trustee. Present membership 85. 

There has been two male members died, viz : E. 
L. Crumb, he retired well 'as usual to all appearance. 
He and Mrs. Crumb entertained company until 10 
o'clock, and he seemed to enjoy the company so much. 
About 2 o'clock, A. M., Mrs. Crumb awoke and discov- 
ered something unusual about her husband. Before she 
could get assistance he had expired. The order paid 
Mrs. Crum $1,450, who now resides at East Randolph, 
N. Y., and is an estimable woman. 

We clip the following from the local paper on the 
death of Mr. Daniel Clark : 

Mr. D. J. Clark, an old and highly respected citizen of Edenburg, 
died suddenly of neuralgia of the heart at his home on north Main street, 
Wednesday evening the 18th, 1885, at 5 o'clock. He had partaken of a 
hearty breakfast, and after doing the chores about the house, went to his 
shop to resume his daily toil at blaoksmithing, when he was suddenly 
seized with a severe pain in his chest, causing him to fall to the ground. 
Medical aid was immediately summoned, but nothing that human skill 
could devise, proved of any avail, and at 5 o'clock death came to his re- 
lief. The deceased was aged about 65 vears and leaves an aged wife and 



136 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBU&G 

grown up family consisting of one daughter and four sons. He was a 
member of E. A. U., of this place, in which order he carried a lite insur 
ance of $2,000. Father Clark, as he was familiarly called, was a zealous, 
consistent member of the M. E. c.uirch, and for over forty years tried to 
live the life of a christian, and now that his life work is ended, he has 
gone to receive the christian's reward. His wife, son Charles and daugh- 
ter Ida live in their home on Main street. The E. A. I"., paid Mrs. Clark 
$2,100. Mrs, J. M. Gilford, who had her life insurance policy in this order, 
after her death which occurred in Kansas a short time since, the E. A. U, , 
paid her children, Glenn and Kittie $1,250. The order has been very 
prompt in satisfying beneficiaries. 

EDENBURG COUNCIL, NO. 28. ROYAL TEMPLARS OF TEMPER- 
ANCE. 

This Council was organized February 1st, 1879, by Supreme Lecturer. 
B. S. Way. under a dispensation granted by the Supreme Council of the 
order with twenty-three charter members, viz : 

C. B. Haven, .lames C. Ames, S. McLallin, F. George Smith, N. W. 
Brown, J. B. Rose, Thomas McCall, H. H. McClintock. W. C. B. Davis, 
W. A.Hartman. Samuel L. McGee, M. L. Rose, S. C, Skinner, W. F. Delp, 
H. S. Lynch. P. P. Pinney, D. P. Walker, Mrs. M. C. Brown, Mrs. H. H. 
McLallin, Mrs. M. P. Delp, Mrs. H. N. Davis, Mrs. II. M. McClintock, Mrs, 
Lida McCall. 

Officers elected for the term ending June 30th. 1879 : — Select Councillor. 
S. McLallin ; Vice, James E. Ames ; Past, X. W. Brown; Chaplain, P. P. 
Pinney; Secretary, F. George Smith ; Treasurer, Mrs. H. N. Davis; Her- 
ald, D. P. Walter ; Guide, Mrs. M. P Delp; Sentinel, W. C. B.Davis: 
Deputy Herald, Mrs. H. vi. McClintock; Medical Examiner, Dr. S, Mc- 
Lallin; Treasurer elect, Mrs. H. N. Davis, resigned and Mrs. W. F. Delp 
was elected to till the vacancy. After which they were installed by Su- 
preme Lecturer, B. S. Way. The Council has had but one death of its 
benetieiary members since its organization. That of David H. Pratt, who 
was killed by a fall from a bridge, in Illinois, wnile he was engaged in re- 
pairing said bridge, June 1st, 1885. on which his beneficiary received the 
sum of two thousand dollars, 

The oilicers lor the present term ending June 3Jth, HS7, are as fol- 
lows:— Select Councillor, \V. F. Delp: Vice, Mrs. L. R. Lay: Chaplain. M. 
J. Ochs; Recording Secretary, F. T. Whitehiil ; Financial Secretary, \V. 
F. Myers: Treasurer, James H. Benn ; Herald, M. L. Rose: Dept. Herald, 
Mrs. M. P. Delp; Guide. Mrs. M. J. Bethune : Sentinel, B. B. Dunn ; Re- 
presentative to Grand Council, J. H. Benn ; Medical examiner, Dr. W. F. 
Myers, 

This is a very interesting order and the first tem- 
perance organization except the Good Templars, who 
had a very successful organization, which became deci- 
mated by removals, and the few remaining members 
have affiliated with the later temperance organizations. 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 137 

Many of the first members of the Royal Templars of 
Temperance have gone west. Mr. and Mrs. \V. C. B. 
Davis are now in Kansas. Rev. P. P. Pinney is in 
Union City, this State. Mr. and Mrs Thomas McCall 
have returned to Freeport, Pa. May the order continue 
as progressive in the future as in the past. The death 
rate has been very small, only one death in eight years- 

EDEXBURG TENT. NO. 28. K. O. T. M. 

Was organized June 2d, 1886, with a charter list of 21 members. 

Officers :— Past Commander, F, M. Denniston; Commander, Allen Mc- 
Lean; Sub. Com , John White; Sergeant, W. H. Berlin; Master at Arms, 
James Hill man; Prelate, A. B. Floyd; Record Keeper, D. E. Skinner; 
Finance Keeper, W. F. Myers : 1st Guard. W. S. Baltzer ; 2nd Guard, W. 
W. Corlette; Sentinel. E. S. McElhattan ; Picket, E. S. Austin; Medical 
Adviser. W. F. Myers. 

Present Officers:— Past Commander, Allen McLean ; Commander, Jno. 
White; Sub. Com., W. H. Berlin; Sergeant, James Hillman; Master at 
Arms, W. S. Baltzer. Prelate, A. B. Floyd ; Record Keeper, W. I. Stewart; 
Finance Keeper, W. F. Myers; 1st Guard, E. S. Austin; 2nd Guard, W. 
L. Jeffords; Sentinel. D. R. Rose; Picket, F. M. Denniston ; Medical Ad- 
viser, W. F. Myers. Present membership 28. 

THE SONS OF TEMPERANCE. 

This order was organized March 16th 1886, with a charter list of 77 mem- 
bers. 

Officers: — Worthy Patriarch, J. D. Keely; Worthy Assistant, Mrs. P. 
F. Kribbs : Recording Scribe. R. K. McCormick ; Assistant Scribe, Miss 
Lou Best; Financial Scribe, Allen McLean; Ti-easurer, P. F. Kribbs: 
Chaplain, Rev. J. H. Keeley ; Conductor, M. E. Longanecker; Assistant 
Conductor, Miss Clara Bethune ; Inside Sentinel, Miss Emma Hotaling: 
Outside Sentinel ; Bentley Forker. 

2d Quarter, June 29th, 1886:— Past Worthy Patriarch, J, D. Keeley ; 
Worthy Patriarch, Allen McLean; Worthy Assistant, Mrs. F. Garrish ; Re- 
cording Scribe, D. E. Skinner ; Assistant Recording Scribe, Mary McCor- 
mick; F. Treasurer, Bentley Forker ; Treasurer, P. F. Kribbs; Chaplain, 
Frank Gerrish : Conductor, Will W. Corlette ; Assistant Conductor, Nellie 
Cuffman ; Inside Sentinel, Ella Radebach ; Outside Sentinel, Anson Beatty. 

3d Quarter, September 28th, 1886 :— Past Worthy Patriarch, J. D. Kelley: 
Worthy Patriarch, Allen McLean; Worthy Assisiant, Miss Hattie K. 
Travis; Recording Scribe. H. D. Best; Assistant Scribe, Alice Forker; Fi- 
nancial Scribe, D. P. Kahle; Treasurer, P. F. Kribbs; Chaplain, Frank 
Gerrish: Conductor, Durand Rose ; Assistant Conductor, May McLaugh- 
lin ; Inside Sentinel, Sylvia Gibbs; Outside Sentinel, W. F. Delp. 

4th Quarter :— Past W. P., Allen McLean; Worthy Patriarch, R. K. 
McCormick ; W. A., Miss Ida Clark ; Recording Scribe, H. D. Best; Asst. 
R. S., Sylvia Gibbs; Financial Scribe, D. A. Harley ; Treasurer, Charles 



138 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 

Bowlin ; Chaplain, Frank Gerrish ; Conductor, Bentley Forker; Assis- 
tant, Cillia Clark ; Inside Sent., Alice Forker ; Outside Sent., Clark Neff. 
5th Quarter :— Past W. P., Allen McLean ; Worthy Patriarch, R. K. 
McCormick ; W. A., Miss Daisy Byers ; Recording Secretary, John Be- 
thune; Assistant Secretary, Miss Stella Benn : Financial Scribe, H. D. 
Best; Treasurer, Charles H. Bowlin; Conductor, El wood Byers ; Ass't., 
Miss Emma Clark ; Inside Sent., Miss Susie Kribbs; Outside Sent., Frank 
Gerrish; Chaplain, Rev. H. F. Earseman. 

GEORGE H. COVODE POST G. A. R., 112. 
Organized December 3, 1879. 

Officers: — Commander, Maj. J. B. Maitland ; Senior Vice Com.. N. L. 
Moore; Junior Vice Com., W. H. McLaughlin; Adjutant, W. A. Selby ; 
Surgeon, H. R. Radebach ; Quartermaster, A. O. Benjamin; Chaplain, I. 
M. Temple ; Officer of the Day, Martin Flick; Officer of the Guard, T. J. 
Fisher ; Sergeant Major, S. C. Richard ; Quartermaster Sergeant, A. L. 
Bunnell. * 

Present Officers : — Commander. John White ; Senior Vice Com., G. L. 
Myers; Junior Vice Com., J. C. Weaver; Adjutant, J. R. Black ; Sergeant, 
Jacob Wenner; Chaplain, M. E. Hess; Officer of the Day, T. H. Jolley ; 
Officer of the Guard. Simon Delo ; Sergeant Major, Jesse M. Smith ; Quar- 
termaster Sergeant, J. J. Dantman. 

THE GEO. H. COVODE RELIEF CORPS, NO. 58, AUXILLIARY TO 
POST NO. 112, G. A. R. 

This Corps was organized February 5th, 1886, by Mrs. Mary A. Wallace, 
of Bradford, State I. and I. O. of Pa. 

President, Mrs. Jesse M. Smith ; Senior Vice-President, Mrs. David 
Whitehill ; Junior Vice-President. Mrs. Peter Spargo ; Secretary, Miss 
Louie Best; Treasurer, Mrs. N.N. Booth; Chaplain, Miss Katie E. Betz ; 
Conductor Mrs. F. E. Garrett; Assistant Conductor, Miss Mollie Crick : 
Guard. Mrs. D. M. Hazlett: Assistant Guard, Mrs. Lock Park. 

Officers for 1887 :— President, Mrs. Jesse M. Smith ; Senior Vice Presi- 
dent, Mrs. John Hotaling ; Secretary, Mrs. D. M. Hazlett; Treasurer, 
Mrs. G. A. Clark; Chaplain, Mrs. David Whitehill ; Conductor, Mrs. John 
White ; Assistant Conductor, Mrs Lock Park ; Guard, Miss Lou Wenner ; 
Assistant Guard, Mrs. Theo.|Updegraff. 

The G. A. R., and the Relief Corps are both very 
useful organizations and accomplish much good. The 
soldiers who have died at Edenburg were William 
Thompson, buried at Shippenville cemetery, Col. Al- 
vord, who was buried at the McElhattan cemetery, Wm. 
Hazelett, buried at Greenville cemetery. There was no 
cemetery in Edenburg while the oil developments were 
so extensive, for two reasons : First, the citizens were 






AND EDENBURCJ PEOPLE. 139 

too much immersed in business to attend to that neces- 
itv Second, there seemed to be no place sufficiently se- 
cluded from the oil man's' tread. In the latter part of 
the year 1884 and beginning of 1885, theG. A. R, took 
the first steps toward securing a site for the cemetery 
Peter Spargo especially was anxious to secure the ground 
for this "silent citv," and he was the first person laid in 
it in organization was formed allowing five directors 
of theG 4 R., and four of the citizens, making nine 
directors. The directors purchased seven acres of ground 
on the north-west corner of the Mendenhall farm for 
this purpose. On amplication of M. E^ Hess T W. 
West, G. S. Hamm, P. F. Kribbs and T. H. Jolly, a 
charter was granted May 9th, 1885. The first board of 
managers, Jessie M. Smith, T. H. Jolly, ME. Hess, 
S. Bargain, G. A. Clark, G. S. Hamm, N N. Booth, 
T W West and P. F. Kribbs. The ground was dedi- 
cated Mav 30th, 1885 by the G. A. R., with J. Bell 
Neffas orator, assisted by Rev. J. H. Keely and Rev. 
Thomas Gray. The proceeds of the sale of lots to be 
applied on beautifying the grounds after the purchase 
money is paid. The present board of managers , N. JN. 
Booth, J. M. Brothers, W. I. McDowell, P. F. Knbbs, 
Jesse M. Smith, M. E. Hess, John White, D. White- 
hill J E Hotaling. The cemetery, although of short 
duration is filling rapidly. It is becoming a beau- 
tiful spot, but where fond friends, after a visit to this 
secluded spot, leave with aching hearts. What could 
be more beautiful than a cenotaph or monument on this 
sacred spot. 



w. c. t.u. 



This ore a— . r£ - «. -'•--- rrxisx 

Mrs. B. B. Dunn, President; Mrs. A. a. nuvu. » 



140 COMPENDIUM OF EDEXBURG 

Presidents; Miss Hettie A. Keatly; Corresponding Secretary ; Miss Floda 
McComb, Recording Secretary ; Mrs. J. M. Bethune, Treasurer. The 
Presidents since then have been Mrs. Dr. W. M. Clover, Mrs. Mary Gray 
and the present one, Mrs. T. J. Van Geisen ; Vice President, Mrs. P. F. 
Kribbs; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. F. T. Whitehall ; Recording Secre- 
tary, Miss Jennie Beaty ; Treasurer, Mrs. W. F. Delp. 

The Union has purchased a lot and placed thereon 
a tine hall for public meeting's. 

Y. W. C. T. U. 

The Y. W. C, T. U., have had an organization for ab^>ut two years, 
which is in a very flourishing condition at present, with the following 
officers: President, Miss Myra McElhattan ; Corresponding Secretary, 
Miss Jessie Mong ; Recording Secretary, Miss Lizzie Culbertson ; Treas- 
urer, Miss Florence Mong. 

Quite a large Band of Hope is conducted by the 
W. C. T. U., and the Y. W. C. T. U. These organiza- 
tions have been very successful. 



THE LEGAL PROFESSLON. 
First in the field was S. T. Galley, a brilliant 
voung attorney, who with his accomplished wife re- 
sided on north Main street. John Austin, Esq., and 
son David had a very lucrative business in preparing 
leases, and in leasing out oil leasing knots. Mr. Austin 
resided a long time on State street, but recently built 
him a fine home on Main street, and also has his office 
on Main street. Mr. Austin surrounded by his pleas- 
ant family and the wife of his youth can have much 
happiness in his declining years. The Selby Brothers 
were both lawyers of some note. Wm. Selby was bur- 
gess one year. They left in 1883 and are now enjoying 
pioneer life in the west. S. Crosby, Esq., a man of 
large brain and much business tact, had a good practice. 
He was a bachelor, but since leaving the oil field has 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 141 

changed his relations in life and lives in the southern 
part of the State. W. W. Mason, Esq., has been spok- 
en of in another place. Esq. Mason was highly esteemed 
as a citizen and a good lawyer. J. K. Wilson, Esq., 
was tall, fine looking and like his friend Crosby was 
meeting lifes phases all alone. He was burgess one 
year and lives now in Bradford, Pa. S. L. Herron with 
his amiable wife were great society people aud had many 
friends. They built them a nice cottage home on west 
State street. Esq. Herron did a fine business but now 
resides in Du Bois, Pa. Mr. M. M. Meredith, law 
partner with S. Crosby, Esq., lived on Penn avenue, 
was a successful lawyer. His family composed of Misses 
Mary, Carrie, Master Frank and M. M., with Mrs. 
Meredith, enjoyed life. Miss Mary is married to Mr. 
E. K. Myers of Harrisburg, Pa., where they have all 
resided for three years past, Mr. Meredith having an ap- 
pointment under Governor Patterson. O. P. Happer, 
whose sad fate is recorded in another place was also one 
of the pioneer attorneys. J. S. Johns, a very social 
pleasant gentleman formerly of Pittsburg, after spend- 
ing two years in the oil country returned to Pittsburg, 
where he now resides. J. Zuver, formerly of Oil City, 
an aged man who was only in Edenburo; occasionally 
with his son Joseph Zuver, who died suddenly three years 
since. W. Wirt Johnson, Esq., in addition to his legal 
work won some fame as a writer. W. P. Mercilliott, 
who resided on Penn avenue, after remaining in the 
place a very short time, died of typhoid fever. Quoted 
from the local paper : 

W. P. Mercilliott. Esq., died of complicated diseases at his home on 
Penn avenue, this place, Saturday evening at 4 o'clock. Funeral services 
were held on Monday at 12 o'clock. Rev. J. H. Keeley, officiating', after 



142 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBUKG 

which the remains were conveyed on the 1.20 p. tn. train lo Marienville 
for interment. The deceased was aged about forty-two years and leaves 
a wife and family to mourn their loss. 

T. J. Van Geisen, formerly of Tionesta, who came 
to this place recently with his pleasant family, composed 
of Mrs. Van Geisen, Miss Maud, Master Lee and little 
Dann, are among our iuterestiug citizens. 



THE MEDICAL PROFESSIOX. 
Dr. E. W. Northrop as has already been stated was 
first in the field. His office was located on Main street. 
The names of other resident physicians are given in 
order. 

G. W. RE A, Physician and Surgeon, office over the postoffice. 

JEFFERSON LITZ, Physician and Surgeon, office over Herron & Austin's 
law office. 

S. D. BOUTON, M. D., Physician and Surgeon, office over Hirsh Co's., 
clothing store on Main street. 

F. P. LANGFIT, M. D., Physician and Surgeon, office over Berlin's store 
on Main street. 

W. A. MAGILL, M. D.. office in north wing of Wigwam, Main street, 

J. F. JAMISON, M, D., office second floor of Bee-Hive. 

DR. A. BO LEY, Homeopathic Physician, office on State street over Aus- 
tin's law office. 

WM. P. SHOEMAKER, M. D.. office on Railroad street near depot. 

J. T. HOYT, Homeopathic Physician, office in Wigwam on Main street. 

W. C. POWELL, M. D,, office on south Main street. 

T. W. LEWIS, M. D., office on north side of State street. 

J. W. LEADENHAM, M. D., office one door north of Clarion County Bank 
on Main street. 

W. D. EDDY, M. D., office on west side of Main street. 

Dr. Eddy was master of seven languages, a man 
very highly connected, came from the eastern states, be- 
came dissipated and died from the effect of his reckless 
life. Died suddenly and was taken home to his friends 
for interment. He was a gentleman in his manners, a 
well read physician, was fitted by birth and education 
to have been an ornament to society, but in spite of all 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 143 

these advantages, he chose the inebriate's shame. Pity 
throws the pall of sorrow over his memory. 

DR. G. G. SHOEMAKER, office west side of Main street, has an ex- 
tensive practice. Has a very fine residence on Kribbs street in the 
borough addition, where he and his pleasant wife and little sons en- 
joy life. 

DR. SVVANN, office in Swanrfs drug store corner of Main and Stale streets. 

DR. W. CLOVER. Allopathic Physician and Surgeon, office at H. R. Bur- 
gess 1 drug store. Dr. Clover has an extensive surgical practice. He 
practiced in Edenburg in 1857. That was about his first practice. 

W. F. MYERS. M. D., office in H. J. Bethune's drug store on State street. 
Dr. Myers came in 1877. has remained ever since, and has a lucrative 
practice. 

DR. ALBERT BEATY, office on south Main street. He is the latest ar- 
rival and has a good practice. 



PERSONAL SKETCHES, CONTINUED. 

On north Main street formerly lived Mr. John 
Walton, superintendent of Mr. Chamber's interest prior 
to Mr. Garrett's snperintendency. Mr. and Mrs. Wal- 
ton were very fine citizens. Miss Effie, their only 
daughter was a charming young lady. Mr. Waltons 
now reside in Ouray, Arizona. 

Mr. B. F. Bonnel, brother-in-law to Mr. Cham- 
bers, also resided on the same bluff. Had a pleasant 
little family who were active in church work and were 
very interesting people. Recently, since they left here, 
Mrs. B's health has failed and she is a confirmed invalid. 
Mr. Bonnel and his sons, with Mabel and Annie, reside 
at their former home at Wesley ville, Erie county, Pa. 

Mr. Rollin R. Richardson, was one of Edenburg's 
early young business men. After leaving here he went 
to Tucson, Arizona, and was engaged in the herding 
business. Rollin has always had an eye toward accum- 
ulating wealth. We remember his early development 



144 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

of a business talent when we taught him at the age of 
ten years. May success attend all his efforts. 

Mr. J. Weckerly and family reside on the bluff 
north of town. Mr. and Mrs. Weckerly are pleasant 
people, with Miss Carrie and some smaller children at 
home, enjoy life. James Weckerly, their son, a bright, 
active young man, after occupying different positions of 
trust here, has gone to Pittsburg to do business. 

Mrs. Theo. Updegraff is a daughter of Mr. Weck- 
erly. Mr. and Mrs. Updegraff have their home near 
the mill, as he is the miller. 

Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Lincoln, with their pleasant 
little family, reside near the West Point Boiler Works, 
of which Mr. Lincoln is proprietor. 

Mr. and Mrs. Oles have erected quite a nice home 
near the railroad. Mr. Oles is quite an aged man and 
last winter received a severe injury by a fall on the side- 
walk. 

Mr. and Mrs. J. N. Tomlinson, former residents, 
have a nice home on Penn avenue, having recently re- 
moved to Beaver, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. O'Harra occupy 
their home at present. Mr. and Mrs. Tomlinson's prin- 
cipal object in going to Beaver was to enjoy the facili- 
ties of Beaver College and Musical Institute for their 
children, Misses Leora and Jessie. 

Mr. Byers also resides on Penn avenue, has a beau- 
tiful resideuce in the borough addition, which is not yet 
completed. Mrs. Byers is an invalid, Miss Daisy is 
quite a musician, Mr. El wood, clerk in Mr. Marcus' 
store, Miss Nettie and some smaller children compose a 
happy family. 

Mr. S. Whitmore, wife,' daughter and son reside 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 145 

on the same street. Mr. Whitmore is a very neat work- 
man as a carpenter. 

Mr. Anson Beatty on the same street is a very quiet 
citizen. Mrs. Beatty has been a confirmed invalid for 
several months. With Walter, Wilbur and Myrtle they 
are a very interesting family. 

Mr. David Jones, with his amiable wife, Master 
Willie and the babe, compose a pleasant group. 

Mr. and Mrs. Welch, on the Chambers lease, have 
a neat home. Mrs. Welch is proverbial for her culture 
of choice flowers. 

Mr. G. A. Clark, whom we have mentioned previ- 
ously, resides ou same lease. On Christmas morning 
1885, when Mrs. Clark had just placed the turkey in the 
stove to roast for dinner, they discovered fire up stairs, 
which originated no doubt from a defective flue, and be- 
fore they could get their goods out of the chambers the 
fire had complete control, and they barely saved what 
was on the first floor. They have built a nice home on 
same site. Mr. and Mrs. Clark, Miss Emma and Cillie 
with Master Frank and little Margie are pleasantly lo- 
cated. 

Mr. and Mrs. John Beatty have a neat home near 
the railroad, where, with their little daughters, Pearl 
and Dora, and their little son they enjoy much happiness. 

Mr. and Mrs. Childs, formerly of Du Bois, reside 
on Penn avenue with Misses Beulah and Rosie, Masters 
Edwin and Johnny. Have a pleasant location. 

Mr. William Kernick and wife who formerly had 
a music store, with groceries and confectionery, with 
their interesting family, Dannie, Willie, Lizzie and Ce- 
lia, reside now in Avonia, Erie county, Pa. 



14(3 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

Miss Mary Corbett, who purchased Mr. Kernick's 

property, has a grocery and confectionery store. Miss 
Corbett is a very lively, vivacious lady and does quite a 
lucrative business. 

Mr. and Mrs. F. Gerrish occupy rooms in the same 
building, are very genial social people. Mr. G. is noted 
for his skill as a painter. 

Mr. and Mrs. Datesman, a very pleasant family, 
now in Oil City, Mr. and Mrs. C. T. Herpst, Mrs. 
Horner and sons, Mr. Hatch and family, J. Lowinthalls 
family, I. Isaacs family, Mr. and Mrs. Mayes, Mr. and 
Mrs. Shannon, Mr. and Mrs. A. Caldron, Mr. and Mrs. 
J. Phillips, pipe line and telegraph clerks, Messrs. G. W. 
Molts, S. Daily, D. Skinner, Lyle Austin, Miss Bris- 
biu, Messrs. Frank and Melvin Longanecker, druggists, 
J. R. Kuhns, P. J. Flynn, Benjamin Thomas, F. L. 
Bensinger, C. Millspaugh and many others have resided 
on Main street. 

Mr. J. Rooney, who lives on State street has a 
numerous little family. Mr. Rooney has his grocery on 
Main street, where he does a fair business, and is the on- 
lv grocer who makes a specialty of vegetables and fresh 
fish. 

The European House is kept by Mrs. Showalter 
and son. Mrs. Showalter came from Elk City, where 
Mr. Showalter died suddenly. 

Mrs. Livermore and her little daughter, Maud May, 
with her sister, have charge of their aged mother, Mrs. 
Jordan, who is quite infirm. It is a lovely sight to see 
children caring for their aged parents. 

Mrs. David Higgins on State street also hasthe 



AND EDEN BURG PEOPLE. 147 

care of her mother. She ami her little daughter have a 
comfortable home. 

Mrs. E. Grinder, with her two daughters, Ella and 
Mattie, have a comfortable home. Miss Ella was un- 
fortunate in receiving an injury by filling on the ice 
while coasting:. Mrs. Grinder is a fine, industrious lady. 

Mr. and Mrs. D. Whitehill live on same street. Mr. 
Whitehill has his business on Main street. He was a 
soldier in the late rebellion. He and his brother are 
both remarkable for their altitude. Mrs. Whitehill for 
her ability as a vocalist. 

Mr. William Baltzer on Ohio street is in the second 
hand supply trade. With his wife and little babe form an 
interesting group. 

Mr. David Clover and interesting family reside 
next on the street. David and his wife, nee Miss L. B. 
Rulofson are from Strattanville. With May, Ralph, 
Dora, Myrtie and Rulof R., Jr., have much pleasure, 
only that David's health is not as good as usual. He is 
in the livery business. 

Mr. T. Harvey Jolley purchased the "Barger" 
House, after being burned out of his home on Columbia 
Farm. Mr. Jolley was sick when Mrs. Jolley discov- 
ered the house to be on fire and being some distance from 
any others, the flames could not be arrested. The first 
parties Avho reached the scene were obliged to carry Mr. 
Jolley out to some secure place. Mr. Jerry Dunn and 
his young wife were living in one part of the house, but 
not being at home at the time, like Mr. Jolley, lost 
many valuable articles. Mr. and Mrs. Jolley with 
Masters Coacly and Lawrence, Jettie and Luella, are very 
fine citizens. 



148 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

Mr. Emmett Murphy, and lady, with their three in- 
teresting little children, Alice, John and Luella, have a 
pleasant home. Mr. Murphy is superintendent of the 
interests of the Kittanning iron ore mine at Elk City. 

Mr. Frank Cook and family reside on the same 
street, and although Mr. Cook has never taken orders, 
resides in the Catholic parsonage. Mr. Cook is a plas- 
terer by trade and is a first-class workman. 

Off State street, a little south, formerly lived Mr. 
and Mrs. Burton Turney, and Misses Anna, Blanche and 
Bertie, a family highly appreciated. Mrs. Turney was 
a very useful member of society and a great worker in 
the church, while she resided here. Now they have a 
little John Lamont added. Mr. Turney was a soldier, 
enlisted with Judge Knox's company, served his term 
and received an honorable discharge. They have now 
removed to Rimerton on the Allegheny river. 

In the same house which they occupied lives Mrs. 
Gills. Her husband is engaged in the oil business in 
the Lima, Ohio, oil field. They have a very cheerful 
family, especialy Miss Pearl. 

On South end of Petrolia street live Mr. and Mrs. 
Jacob Wenner, quite aged. Mrs. Wenner is very feeble 
in health. Mr. Wenner was a soldier and is now an ac- 
tive member of the G. A. R. 

Mr. Lowry Jacobs has a large family of interesting 
children, but Mrs. Jacobs has been suffering for several 
months with a severe attack of rheumatism. 

Mr. George Jacobs and his pleasant lady live next. 
Mr. Jacobs is collector of taxes and consequently is not 
always a welcome guest, but is a very clever man. 

Wm. Baltzer, Sr., with his estimable wife live next 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 14& 

on the street. They are both proverbial for their kind- 
ness of heart. Mr. Baltzer has been in the grocery bus- 
iness for several years and has a fine trade. 

J. D. Cuffman, a ganger, with his amiable wife 
have a pleasant home cheered by an interesting family, 
Miss Nellie, Ernest and several smaller children. Mr. 
C. is a good citizen. 

Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Park have a pleasant home, 
spiced by the company of their interesting little son 
Eugene. Mr. Park has his meat market on Main street. 

Mack Turney and his pleasant wife and children 
reside on this street. Mr. Turney is engaged with the 
Oil City gas and fuel company and is a prompt work- 
man. 

John Shaffer and his wife reside on this street with 
their three interesting children. Cora the eldest living. 
Death entered this household one season and took from 
them all of their lovely little pets. Two were tak- 
en near together. In the spring of 1878, diphtheria be- 
came an epidemic. Many households were in mourn- 
ing. The Sabbath schools were decimated. In the M. 
E. Sunday school nearly one whole class of which the 
writer was teacher. We here quote from our Scrap 
Book: 

RESOLUTIONS OX THE DEATH OF SABBATH SCHOOL CHILDREN. 
At a special meeting of the VI, E. Sabbath School, which met June 30, 
it was unanimously resolved that on the following Sabbath, July 7th, 
1878, there should be special services in memory of those pupils who had 
died during the last quarter, viz : Christiana Goodyear, Willie Amo, Otie 
Amo, Blanch Northrop. Arthur L. Bunnell, May Bell Northrop, May 
Boyd. 

The committee on resolutions submitted the following : 
Whereas, In the Providence of God several of the pupils of our Sab- 
bath school have been removed by death during the past quarter, we deem 
it proper in view of these sad events, that we should accept these as calls 
to us to be ready, and to become more active workers in our Master's vin- 



150 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

yard while the day lasteth, for the night cometh when no man can work. 

We would also submit the following resolutions : 

Resolved, 1st. That the Secretary of this school be requested to make 
an appropriate minute of the death of each in the records of the same. 
Their names, ages, date of death, and such other facts as he may secure. 

Resolved, 2d. That while we mourn the loss of these very dear chil- 
dren from our numbers, we do also rejoice in the light which we receive 
from that glorious Gospel, which points us to a home above and te'ls us of 
that Savior who said "Suffer little children to come unto me, for of such is 
the kingdom of heaven," and that we will the more earnestly strive, as of- 
ficers and teachers to bring all the children under the influence of this gos- 
pel, so that they, too, may become lovers of Christ. 

Resolved. 3d. That we tender to the families and homes thus bereft 
our sincere sympathy in this hour of their deep sadness and sorrow. Trust- 
ing that God in His mercy may sustain them, turning by His grace even 
this affliction into a blessing and thus bringing joy out of sorrow and life 
out of death. 

Resolved, 4th. That we have these resolutions published in the Eden- 
burg Daily Herald, and that a copy be presented to the parents of each fam- 
ily thus bereft. C. L. Ckumb, ] 

Hettie A. Keatley, /-Committee. 

P. P. PlKNEY. ) 

After the resolutions appropriate pieces were sung 
by the school. Prayer and remarks by the Superin- 
tendent. 

On Petrolia street live Mr. and Mrs. Wise, late ar- 
rivals, with a large family of children. On South Main 
street lives Mrs. James Ghuier, an industrious, active 
woman, with a very interesting family of children. Lena, 
a small girl, is quite an elocutionist. Mr. and Mrs. 
Magee also live near. Mr. Magee has been quite an in- 
valid for some time. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas on Petro- 
lia street have a lan>;e family. Mr. Thomas is an indus- 
trious man. The M. E. parsonage, where resides Rev. 
J. H. Keeley and his interesting wife and family. 
His boys, Eddie, and Leroy, enjoy life, having 
space enough to do just as they please. Mrs. Hart 
and her two daughters and son live near. Mr. and 
Mrs. Rose, with their sons Bayard and Archie reside in 
that part of the town on Mendenhall street. Mr. Rose 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 151 

is engaged with Mr. Neff in the meat market. Mr. and 
Mrs. Gulp, Mr. and Mrs. William Smith, Mr. and Mrs. 
Rhodes and Mr. and Mrs. Hendren and their two chil- 
dren, on Best street are all pleasant citizens. 

Mr and Mrs. Hantz live on the extension of Penn 
avenue. Mr. Hantz is engaged with Mr. Weaver in the 
furniture business on Main street. Esq. J. L. Forker 
lives on the same street. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver and 
their two sons live on the extension of Penn avenue have 
a pleasant home. E. W. Crabbe and amiable wife re- 
side on corner of Penn avenue and Kribbs street, just 
opposite to Mr. G. S. Hamm's. T. J. Easley and little 
son Frank reside on Best street ; also Mr. and Mrs. 
Rowe. Mrs. Rowe has been an invalid for some time. 
Mrs. Wenner and two daughters, Lou and Ollie, with 
her son, occasionally at home, have a pleasant home. 
W. B. Delo, postmaster, on same street has a very neat 
home and a number of interesting children. Mrs. Por- 
ter lives on a cross street. Mrs. Porter lost her husband 
by death a year ago. He had been an invalid for a long 
time. Durand Rose and his young bride reside on Main 
street. Mr. and Mrs. Soles and interesting family occu- 
py the house vacated by Mr. and Mrs. S. Bruner, who 
have recently removed to Pitch Pine. Mr. Bruner's 
have been here a long time and were very much respect- 
ed. Mamie and Mattie were lovely children. 

The Boyce House, on Railroad street, is almost va- 
cated. Mr. Moran first kept it. Then Moran & Boyce. 
Soon Mr. Boyce married Miss Celia Moran and took 
the house. They conducted it successfully for some 
time and sold to Mr. Farquhar, who conducted the house 
until a fire occurred. Mrs. F. started the gas in the 



152 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

morning to get an early breakfast for some guests, and 
after starting the fire went to attend to her toilet. On 
her return she found the kitchen all ablaze. Much dam- 
age was done to -the house before the firemen arrived, 
but when they came they arrested it at once. Mr. and 
Mrs. Farquhar went to Butler, where they have some oil 
wells and have not yet returned. Mr. and Mrs. Boyce, 
being natives of Ireland, after they closed out their hotel 
here, made a visit to the home of their youth, and on 
their return located in Clarion, and keep the Coulter 
House. 

J. Wilson Greenland, one of Edenburg's early young 
men, three years ago married Miss Minnie, Hon. T. S. 
Wilson's eldest daughter. He was Assistant Secretary 
of Internal Affairs under Governor Pattison, and re- 
sided in Harrisburg since his marriage until now he is 
in Clarion. Wilson's office at one time was head- 
quarters for the boys of that period, viz : Robt. Fuller, 
Frank G. Keatley, S. H. Lowry and many others. Mr. 
Hale, the accomplished clerk in P. F. Kribbs' clothing- 
store is a very pleasant gentleman and has great attrac- 
tions for the ladies. Edwin Austin, saddler and har- 
ness maker is quite a ladies' man, and is an expert eques- 
trian. James Reinsel has purchased the S. Bruner 
property and is running the blacksmith shop very suc- 
cessfully. Ambrose Boyer has been in Edenburg near- 
ly all his life. He is foreman in A. B. Floyd's employ. 
Ambrose is quite a favorite with all. On south side of 
west State street reside Mr. and Mrs. Harpster, Mrs. J. 
Preston and little family. Mr. Preston is in the upper 
oil Held. On same street Mr. and Mrs. Sulinger, Miss 
Minnie and some smaller children. About one year 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 153 

ago a very sad circumstance occurred. While Mrs. Sul- 
inger was gone to a neighbor's house for a pail of water, 
the children were playing in the yard. They had a can 
of crude oil and some fire near. A very small child 
had gotten near the oil and had it on his clothing, and 
in coming; in contact with the fire his clothes were all" 
ablaze in an instant, and before Mrs. Sulinger could get 
to him his clothes were burned off him, and his body so 
burned that he died in a very short time. On Railroad 
street lived formerly Charles Walther, a photographer. 
He had a gallery for several years and was successful, a 
very nice man and Mrs. Walther, Katie and two other 
children were all happy. Disease came, pulmonary 
consumption made its appearance and in a short time a 
constitution naturally frail yielded to the disease, and he 
had to leave the little ones who leaned upon him for 
support. His remains were taken to Franklin for in- 
terment. 

RESOLUTIONS OF CONDOLENCE. 

At a regular meeting of Edenburg Lodge, No. 115, A. O. U. W., held 
July 10th, 1884, the following preamble and resolutions, were adopted : 

Whereas, It has pleased the Supreme Ruler of the universe to remove 
from our midst, our late Brother, Charles B. Walther, and 

Whereas, The intimate relations long held by our deceased brother 
with the members of this lodgs render it proper that we should place on 
record our appreciation of him as a brother workman and his merits as a 
man. Therefore be it 

Ri solved. By Edenburg Lodge, No. 115, that while we bow with hum- 
ble submission to the will of the Most High, we do not the less mourn for 
our brother who has been called from his labor to rest. 

Resolved, That in the death of Charles B. Walther, this lodge loses a 
brother who was always active and zealous in work as a workman, ever 
ready to succor the needy and distressed of the fraternity, prompt to ad- 
vance the interests of the order, devoted to its welfare and prosperity, one 
who was wise in council and fearless in action, an honest and an upright 
man whose virtues endeared him, not only to his brethren of the order, 
but to all his fellow citizens. 

Resolved, That this Lodge tender its heartfelt sympathy to the fami- 
ly and relatives of our deceased brother in this their sad affliction. 



154 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

Resolved, That our charter and lodge room be draped in mourning 
for the space of thirty days. 

Resolved, That these resolutions be|entered upon the records of this 

lodge and inserted in the county papers, and a copy sent to the family of 

our deceased brother. 

C. A. WHEELOCK.) 

W. F. DELP, /-Committee. 

J. A TRAVIS, j 

In May 1879, Mr. Lovejoy, an aged man, who with 
his lovely companion lived on South Main street, died 
very suddenly and unexpectedly. Mr. Lovejoy 's funeral 
was very large, being buried by the Mason's and I. O. 
(). F's. He was one of the parties who had lost by the 
Edenburg Bank failure. Nelson, their adopted son 
went West. Mrs. Lovejoy lives in Titusville and fre- 
quently visits Edenburg. 

In the winter and spring of 1878, the shadows 
fell upon our household. Our aged mother was a great 
sufferer for several months. I take the account of her 
death from the Pittsburg Christian Advocate. 

Mrs. Annie Keatley. widow of James Keatley, deceased, died at the 
home of her daughter, Mrs. J. G. Mendenhall, March 18, 1878. Mother 
Keatley's maiden name was Borland. She was born in Centre county. Pa., 
April 12. 1793. Her parents were Archibald and Annie Borland. She was 
left a widow when her youngest child was but seven day* old. She raised 
her family respectably, instilled in their minds christian principles. She 
had four children, Andrew H., her only son, died October 10th, 1843, Mary, 
now Mrs. M. T. Travis, died December 16th, 1872. During her sickness she 
had the cheerful care of her remaining children, viz : Mrs. J. G. Menden- 
hall and Miss Hettie A. Keatley, with her son-in-law, Mr. M. T. Travis. 
Also, her three living grand-children, James M., Araminta and Hattie K. 
Travis. She had one great-grand-child, Frankie G. Travis. Mother Keat- 
ley united with the M. E. church when in her nineteenth year. Was a 
steadfast christian, always trying to live as she professed. She enjoyed the 
ministration of Rev. P. P. Pinney and many other ministers and christian 
friends during her last days on earth. She died as she lived with her hopes 
centered upon Christ as the foundation of her faith. Her remains were laid 
to rest in the the Strattanville cemetery, beside her children Rev. Thomas 
Benn preach her funeral sermon by her request. The house was crowded 
by her former friends and neighbors. Several ministers were present. 

Her Pastor, M. Miller. 

Several young ladies, have been in the family at 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 155 

different times. Miss Annie Barnwell, now Mrs. Emo- 
ry, of Shippenville. Miss Ella Honor, now Mrs. Gray, 
Clarendon, Pa., and Miss Fannie Young, of Notting- 
ham, England, an unusually brilliant young lady. Miss 
Madeline Burwell, since she left us has attended school 
at Salem, Ohio, and has been teaching near there. She 
is more than ordinarily gifted intellectually. Miss Sadie 
Shingledecker is a young lady who has resided with 
other parties for several years and has many friends. 
The Misses Mapleston, three sisters who have grown up 
in the place, have shown themselves more than ordinari- 
ly intelligent and ambitious. 



EDENBURG LADIES AS ARTISTS. 

We think Edenburg can boast as many artistic 
ladies as any other town of its size, Titusville and War- 
ren not excepted. 

Mrs. B. B. Dunn, a natural artist, excels all others 
in fancy work. Twenty years ago she filled orders for 
some Parisian gentlemen, who took them to compare 
with home work in Paris. Since then she has greatly 
improved. Her reputation is becoming extensive, hav- 
ing filled orders for parties as far west as Colorado and 
California, and east to Philadelphia and very many oth- 
er large places, both east and west. She has exhibited 
some of the finest work in worsted, tissue, silk and wax 
flowers. The work has that exquisite finish which 
makes it vie with nature. She has a new method of 
preparing wax for her work which excels any other. 
This was her own invention. At present she is planning 
her ideal of many years. Several times she has had it 



156 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

almost complete in her mind, but something still seemed 
to be wanting, until in her anxiety to arrange it, her 
sleeping hours were troubled and she had a dream, in 
which the missing part appeared. 

Mrs. L. C. Neeley, Kensington embroidery, dra- 
sene work, tissue, ribbon work and Kinsington painting. 

Mrs. H. Hibbard, ribbon, Kensington, aracene and 
chenille work, silk, paper and feather flowers, wax 
flowers and fruit modeling. 

Mrs. F. M. Denniston, fancy work and Kensing- 
ton painting. 

ARTISTS IN OIL PAINTING, CHINA AND PLAQUE. 

Mrs. A. J. Smith, Mrs. D. O. White, Mrs. F. M. 
Denniston, Mrs. E. G. Crawford, Mrs. J. I. Patterson, 
Mrs. P. Spargo, Miss Lillie Williams and Mrs. G. M. 
dishing, who has just completed some very fine work. 

Landscape painting, water colors, crayon and pen- 
cil drawing, Miss Hettie A. Keatley. 

KENSINGTON PAINTING. 

Miss Mary E. Carroll, Miss Nellie Cuffmau, Miss 
Mellie Marcus, Mrs. G. S. Hamm, Mrs. W, L. Jeffords, 
Mrs. L. C. Neeley, Miss Rhettie Bethune, Miss Emma 
Or. 

PICTURE PAINTING. 

Mrs. J. L. Jeffords. 

LADIES WHO ARE EXPERTS ON PIANO AND ORGAN. 

Some who have been here we will mention first. 
Miss Rose Pinney, now Mrs. John Brown, of Titusville, 
was a fine instrumental performer and had the finest 
vocal power of any one who has been in the place. Miss 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 157 

Maggie Mackey, now Mrs. Joseph Flynn, of Einlentoii, 
was a line organist. Miss Emma Keho, now Mrs. John 
C. Johnson was a fine vocalist as well as pianist. Miss 
Lou. Wilson, now Mrs. Rev. Martin, of St. Cloud, Minn. 
Miss Lou. Best, now a good organist. Mrs. H. P. 
Loomis is considered the finest performer now. Also a 
good vocalist. Miss Florence Mong is very fine. Miss 
Emma Clark, Miss Daisy Byers, and many others play, 
but not in public. 

EDENBURG ORGANIZED A C. L. S. C. CIRCLE IN 1879. 

Rev. P.P. Pinney, Conductor. A large class was 
organized with the following members : 

Mrs. P. P. Pinney, Mr. M. E. Hess, Miss Belle Hess, 
F. G. Sackett, J. Langworthy, Mr. and Mrs. G. L. Un- 
derwood, J. J. Corlette, Miss Hattie Hatch, now Mrs. J. 
R. Bowman, Miss Hettie A. Keatley. At reorganiza- 
tion Rev. W. Mayes Martin was elected conductor, and 
new members came into the class. W. I. McDow r ell, 
Miss Margie Welker, Mr. Campbell and wife, J. T. 
Wilson and Miss Lou., Misses Ella and Lizzie Culbert- 
son, Miss Ella Reed, John Bethune, Mr. and Mrs. John 
C. Irvin, Benton and William Kribbs, Miss Florence 
Kribbs. All read, but many moved away and some 
were hindered in other respects. When the pioneer class 
graduated, there were three of the number had finished 
the course for the class of 1882, viz : Mrs. P. P. Pinney, 
Mrs. Jennie Boyer, Miss Hettie A. Keatley. Mr. John 
Bethune graduated in 1884. 

The C. L. S. C, is a fine course of reading for any 
one, and especially the young to train their minds to 
think, reason and compare. 



158 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

THE OPERA HOUSE. 

The first one in the place was built early and hur- 
riedly, consequently never finished. It held from eight 
to ten hundred. Some of the noted speakers of the na- 
tion have spoken in that old building. J. M. Place 
brought on the " Boston Lyceum Course" one season, 
but it did not prove a paying investment for him. The 
great prodigy Blind Tom held a packed house. The 
old Opera House has been razed and a new one, more 
substantial but smaller in compass, has been erected by 
Robert Orr, called the La Pointe Opera House. It is 
well finished and much patronized by the citizens for 
public entertainments and by traveling troupes. 



REUNION. 

From the National. 
The greatest social event that has ever struck our town came off on 
the 4th inst.,viz: The reunion of the pupils of the different schools 
taught by Miss Hettie A. Keatley. It proved to be the largest social gath- 
ering that we have had the privilege of enjoying. Miss Keatley has had 
perhaps the largest experience of any teacher now residing in the county, 
having spent twenty years (of ten months in the year) of solid teaching. 
Of these years she commenced and ended in Strattanville, where she was 
brought up, having in all, taught in that village twelve years. The other 
schools in which she taught were Burn's school house, Hindman's school 
house, Jefferson county ; Rimersburg, Shippenville, Curllsville and in the 
Grammar department of Cottage Hill graded school, Oil City. Having 
performed her part conscientiously, she now has the satisfaction of seeing 
those whom she instructed, the active men and women of to-day, many of 
them occupying positions of honor and trust, Among them are ministers, 
doctors, lawyers and statesmen, and the wives of many of these; others 
occupying positions of trust in treasury and postal departments at our Na- 
tional Capitol, while others are settling our western territories, who are 
enrolled upon her register as boys and girls. About twelve hundred dif- 
ferent pupils have been enrolled upon her books, of these, she knows of at 
least one hundred who have passed from earthly cares. It would seem 
that her instructions has not affected the head alone, but also the heart, 
for after Miss Keatley has been out of the active service as teacher several 
years, having abandoned that employment for the purpose of taking care 
of her aged mother, these pupils feel a desire to invite all within reach to 



AXD EDENBURG PEOPLE. 1-51) 

meet their teacher as a school once more and have her preside over them 
as of yore. Mr. H. L. Young, of Strattanville, and others took the matter 
in hand and soon an organization was formed. Edenburg felt honored 
when she heard of their coming and her citizens rose up to meet and taki- 
care of them. Therefore the leading citizens met, organized and appoint- 
ed their committees. In fact they opened wide their hearts and put forth 
their best efforts to welcome them. The very air was perfumed with the 
odor of hemlock, and the bunting waved by every gale. On the morning 
of June 4th, which was also Miss Keatley's birthday, every breeze that 
wafted over our streets was laden with pupils. Buggies, cairiagesand 
trains, all came laden with pupils, some quite young in years, others more 
advanced, until the little Oil City of Edenburg was full of pupils. Brook- 
ville, Strattanville, Clarion, Shippenville, Franklin, Oil City, Pittsburgh 
and many of the rural districts were represented, as well as the resident 
pupils of Edenburg 

The spacious dining hall of Mrs. MendenhalFs, as Avell as the lawn ad- 
joining, was covered with tables, ladened with the choicest viands. The 
forepart of the day was spent in greeting and handshaking, renewing old 
acquaintances and partaking of the good things to regale the appetite. 
Many of us congratulated Miss Keatley on bearing the cares and toils of 
these many years of school life so well, as she looks as blooming and young 
as many of her pupils. In the afternoon all assembled in the M. E. church. 
House called to order by President, Mrs. C. A. Rankin ; on motion of Mr. 
H..L. Young, Miss Keatley was requested to preside. Music by choir; ad- 
dress of welcome, by Mr. E. W. Crabbe ; response, by Rev. Thomas John- 
son, of Rock Island, 111., and a former pupil of Miss Keatley's. Calling of 
the roll by Miss Keatley. This was a very interesting exercise ; also, read- 
ing of letters, and telegrams of respect by Secretary, Mrs. B. II. Frampton. 
These letters, many of which were very interesting, and all evinced a 
strong attachment for their teacher. President again in chair. Rev. J. S. 
Elder, in behalf of Presentation Committee in very appropriate language 
presented Miss Keatley with a beautiful adjustable chair, worth ^75, the 
gift of her pupils. In behalf of the citizens of Edenburg, Mr. E. W. Crabbe 
presented her with a purse, containing a handsome sum as a token of their 
appreciation of her worth. To all which Miss Keatley responded in a very 
feeling and hearty manner. Speaking words of praise and good cheer to 
her former pupils, and thankfulness to her neighbors and friends. At her 
home she received from her niece, Mrs. J. A. Travis, of Edenburg, a beau- 
tiful silk organ spread, a China cup and saucer from another lady friend, 
and a beautiful cushion from a cousin in Pittsburg. The exercises at the 
church were concluded by music by the choir, and a short address and 
benediction by Rev. J. Bell Neff, of Shippenville. After teaall repaired to 
their homes, voting it the most pleasant day they had ever spent. With re- 
gard to Miss Keatley, she commenced her duties as teacher before she was 
fifteen years old. After having passed the curriculum of the public school 
she receiver her higher education at Poland, Ohio, and at Beaver Female 
College. At the latter institution she graduated, and in a class of seven 
had the first honor. She also graduated in the Chatauqua C. L. S. C. class 
1882. 



160 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

From Local Paper. 

FIFTH ANNIVERSARY— WOODEN WEDDING OF DR. O. G. MOORE. 

This anniversary was celebrated at their residence on Penn avenue, 
Monday evening, January 1, 1883. The occasion was one of special inter- 
est and the attendance was unusually large. About seventy invited guests 
were present, besides several ladies and gentlemen from abroad. Dr. and 
Mrs. Moore were attired in appropriate costumes, and as each couple or in- 
dividual, were ushered into the parlor they were politely introduced to the 
bride and groom by Mrs. E. W. Crabbe. After several hours had been 
very pleasantly passed in social conversation and amusements of various 
kinds, refreshments were served in ample order to which all did justice. 
The epicurian propensity of all having been fully satisfied, the company 
were entertained with some excellent vocal and instrumental music by- 
Messrs. J. C. and J. Core Trainer, assisted by their sister, Miss Jennie 
Trainer, and after the rendition of a choice selection by Mrs. J. W. O'Day, 
on the organ, all returned to their homes feeling highly pleased with the 
evening's entertainment. The numerous presents received by the Dr. and 
Mrs. Moore were not only ornamental, but also useful, as a better selection 
could not have been made. 



WEDDING BELLS. 

On Saturday evening December 30th, 1882, being 
the fifth anniversary of the marriage of George C. Steele 
and Miss Ellie G. Mendenhall, a number of their friends 
surprised them by assembling at their home on that 
evening to offer greetings, and present to them tokens of 
friendship in a great variety of articles of wooden ware 
of all styles, from the butter print to handsome picture 
frames. After a sumptuous repast, which was set by 
the guests, and much pleasant conversation all repaired 
to their homes wishing Mr. and Mrs. Steele many more 
returns of their marriage anniversary. 

On October 23d, 1884, a large concourse of the 
citizens assembled at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. T. 
W. West, by invitation, to celebrate the occasion of their 
twenty-fifth anniversary. It was an occasion long to be 
remembered by all present. The evening was spent in 
pleasant conversation, recitations and music. Mr. and 



AND EDENBUEG PEOPLE. 161 

Mrs. West were the great attraction, both looking as 
smiling and cheerful as when they first passed the or- 
deal, but with Mr. West, editorial life has silvered his 
hair, which was the only evidence visible that twenty- 
five years had come and gone, unless we take in the fact 
that he was grand-father. The entertainment on the 
part of the host and hostess was faultless. The presents 
in silver ware were magnanimous. They received all 
the silverware that they will need during their lives, 
many sending presents who could not be there. It is to 
be hoped that when the years of married life has doubled 
they may still enjoy life as now. 

One of the pleasing incidents among the little peo- 
ple in years gone by, was a lovely entertainment in the 
M. E. church by Mrs. Charles Brown and Miss Rose 
Pinney, at which time some tiney little ones were trained 
to perform difficult parts. Among the number were, 
Mabel and Annie Bonnel, May Stemple, Jessie and Car- 
rie Rutherford, Mary Pinney and Kittie Plaisted. Mas- 
ter Frankie Travis and Annie Bonnel represented the 
characters of Mr. anclMrs. Tom Thumb. He was four 
years old and she three-and-a-half. 

At a social meeting of some of the members of the 
Presbyterian Sabbath School, the following resolutions 
were passed by Mr. W. I. McDowell's class in respect 
for Miss Georgia Burke, Avho had been a member of 
that class, and who has recently removed to Richmond, 
Dakota, 

Whereas, Our friend and class-mate, Miss Georgia Burke has re- 
moved to her new home in Dakota, and whereas in all probability we 
never shall meet again as a Sunday school class, we, her friends and class- 
mates, desiring to express our regret at her departure, and our wishes for 
her future life, have adopted the following resolutions : 

Resolved, That we express our sorrow that duty has called Miss 



162 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBURG 

Georgia from among us. While she was a member she was always ready 
and willing to do her duty, and by her kindness and gentle disposition, 
has won the affection of both teacher and class mates. 

Resolved, Therefore that we pledge anew our friendship for her, and 
for each other, and although we may be separated, and though our heads 
may grow gray, our hearts shall ever be young in the memory of the 
loved friends of our Sunday school day-. 

Resoeved, That a copy of these resolutions be given Miss Burke, and 

that they be published in the Clarion County National. 

Committee. 

The children of to-day will be the men and women 
in a very few years. We think it wise to encourage 
them by remembering* their work, and labor of love in 
any good cause. 

One more such event and then we shall leave them. 

On the 26th of March, 1883, the primary class in the 
Sunday school, under the care of their teacher, (the writer) 
held a costume party in the Clarion House, which was a 
very interesting affair, called the "Martha Washington 
Tea Party." It would be impossible at this distant date 
to describe it fully. Master Harry Harley represented 
the Father of his country, beautifully. Miss Florence 
Smith represented Martha Washington, and, although 
but seven years old, she performed her part admirably. 
Master Willie Wilson and Miss Minnie Ochs repre- 
sented Col. Nutt and wife. Master Joie Kilgore, a 
Highland Chief, Master Dannie Kernick, (who was born 
in England) Johnny Bull ; Master Joie Brothers, the In- 
dian Chief; Master Alpha Buzza, William Penn ; 
and there was the Flower Girl, Queen Elizabeth, Queen 
Mary and many representative characters. The recita- 
tions and music were good. The children realized clear 
of expenses, $55, fifty of which were given toward plas- 
tering the M. E. church. There were many other pleas- 
ing features of this children's entertainment, which we 
need not mention now. 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 163 

We now present the business interests of Eden- 
burg in a condensed form for reference, (both past and 
present.) 

The Clarion County Flouring Mil, built by Mr. Fred J. Harley in 1880 
and 1881, at a cost of about $24,000. The machinery is part roller, and the 
mill is quite an acquisition to the town and is at present owned by E. G. 
Crawford. The mill is located near the P. & W. R. R. 

Planing Mill— Messrs. D. Harley and J. M. Smith, proprietors, located 
on Petrolia street. 

Harness Shops— W. N. Wilson, State street ; M. M. Fisher and E. Aus- 
tin, Main street. 

T ank Shop— N. W. Rrown, Esq., (past). 

Paint and Paper Store— C. T. Herpst, Main street, (past). 

Blacksmiths— D. Higgins. State street, (past); D. Clark, deceased, J. 
Hotaling, S. Brunei- (now J. Reinsel); W. F. Delp, Main street. 

Hardware and Oil Well Supply Stores— I. Jacobs of Oil City, Main 
street, (past); J. D. Wolf. Main street, (past); Gibbs & Jarvis, Main street, 
(past); Chalfant & Graff, State street, (past). These sold to J. Cochran of 
Rouseville. now owned by E. G. Crawford and W. I. McDowell, Main 
street; Gibbs & Sterrett, of Titusville, on Ohio street. 

Wagon Makers— Robert Whitehill, Main street ; John Knight, Main 
street. 

Livery— J. Moffett, C. Shaw. F. Wilbur and S. Shoels all of Main 
street, (past); A. B. Floyd, Main street; J, A. Travis, Penn avenue, (past); 
L. C. Putnam, State street, (past); C. A. Wheelock. State street, (past"); D. 
Clover, State street ; J. Horton, State street. 

Torpedo Offices — 1875, Coulter Denniston, (now deceased) Main street; 
1876, F. M. Denniston to present time, Main street; 1877, A. L. Bunnell, 
Main street, (past); 1878, A. L. Howard, Main street; J. L. Jeffords, Main 
street; G. S. Mendenhall, Main street ; Ellis Hall. Shady City. 

Iron Works and Boiler Shops — 1876 and 1877, J. Kinnear and Cassel, on 
State street, (past). 1875 to 1878. J. Sheridan & Co., of Franklin, Pa., (past), 
corner of Straight and Crooked Main street. West Point Boiler Works, 
Miller & Co., then Bole & Co., and now A. L. Lincoln, near the P. &. W. R. 
R. Edenburg Boiler Works, east of Main street, H. Donovan. Knox Boiler 
Works near P. & W. depot, J. W. Townly. Novelty Iron Works, opposite 
P. & W. depot, Smith Bros., of Rouseville. 

Drug Stores — H. C. Grimshaw, (past), H. R. Burgess, G. S. Mendenhall, 
J. I. Patterson, all of Main street. Dr. S. Wann & Co.. corner of Main and 
State street, (past), H. J. Bethune, State street. 

Hotels— State street. Edenburg House. P. Mapleston, afterward R. 
Orr; Garrett House, now the Clover House by S. W. Clover; Clarion 
House by Ed H. Long and others, now not occupied ; European House by 
Mrs. Shoewalter ; Warnoek House by J. Warnock, deceased; Main street. 
Norris House by A, J. Borland, (past); Centennial House A. S. Scribner 



164 COMPENDIUM OF EDENBUKG 

and others, (past); Ross House by S. W. Ross, (past); Petroleum House by 
Toot MeConnell and others, (past); St. Cloud by Stewart Brothers and Win 
Hazelett, (past); Bennet House by J. L. Stemple, (past); Newport House 
J. Hathaway and others, (past): Globe Hotel by O. Dunning and others, 
(past); American House by Mrs. Carrie Yates. 

Railroad Street — United States Hotel by Wm. Jahn, (past); Pittsburgh 
House owned C. E. Gibbs, kept by J. Morrison, (past): Mo ran House by 
Moran <fc Boyce, afterward the Boyce House by M. Boyce and later by Mr. 
Farquhar, (past). 

Lumber Yards — Railroad street. W. W. Greenland, R. W, Buzza, N. N. 
Booth, Esq. 

Coal Yards— W. W. Greenland, R. W. Buzza. 

Jewelers— Main street, J. L. Shaner, 1875, 1887 ; Calvin W. Little. Mr. 
Swope, jeweler ; N. Nachman, T. C. McMasters. 

Furniture and Undertakers, Main street, 1875 to 1881, W S. Brown, 
Moore Brothers & Weaver, Weaver & Hantz. 

Justices of the Peace — J. L. Forker. N. N. Booth. 

News Depots and Notions— J. M. Place, with F. L Bensinger as clerk, 
who is now in Franklin, Wm. Palm, Joseph Kenniston, T. C. McMasters. 

Grocers— Main street, P. F. Kribbs & Son; W. M. Kirkpatrick, (past) ; 
J. L. Miller, H. R. Radebach, J. M. Bethune, J. Rooney, ReiffBros., C. L. 
Lay, G. S. Hamm, J. Cowan, (past, J. M. Mong <fc Magee (past), Win. J. 
Baltzer and J. Page, (past), State street, J. M. Long, (past). 

Clothiers— Main street, J. Brucker, T. Travers, George Mackey, (all 
past). P. F. Kribbs, J. A. Jordan M. H. Marcus, now Mrs. H. Brown, A. A, 
Alden, with J. Damo as clerk, (past), State street ; Horner Bros. 

Photographers — Main street, W. E. Finch, C. B. Walther, (now deceas- 
ed). F. M. Lewis. C. A, Shirley and C. Devaux. 

Millinery and Fancy Stores, 1876— Miss Keatley, Mrs. J. Vedder, Mrs. 
Mack, Mrs. Goheen, Mrs. Newman, Mrs. McKinzie, Miss Quinn, Miss 
Frank, Misses Wassum and Crick, Mrs. Gibson Mrs. Neely. 

Notary Publics— George Tucker, Wm. Selby, Esq., J. K. Wilson, R. K. 
McCormick, D. W. Lewis. 

Sculptors— Thomas and Frank McCall. 

Dentists— Dr. O. G. Moore. 

Dry Goods Stores— P. F. Kribbs, J. H. Berlin &Crabbe, Flynn & Hamm, 
J. P. McQuiston, all on Main street. Ohio Store. State street; J. Levey & 
L. Katz, J. Barrance. Bee Hive ; Stull & Sterner, State street. 

Present, Main street— P. F. Kribbs & Son, G. S. Hamm, Mrs. L. C. Neely, 
Mrs. M. C. Gibson, H. R. Radebach. 

Land scape and fancy painting and perspective drawing— Mr. F. Ger- 
rish. Main street. All who wish any work of that kind will do well to call 
on Mr. Gerrish. 

Edenburo; lias had its pleasures and its sorrows, its 
flush times and its depressions, but the people who have 



AND EDENBURG PEOPLE. 165 

lived iii it are rather partial to it and for such we have 
written. Still hoping that in this volume may be found 
much to interest others, and that my many friends may 
feel inclined to read it out of regard for the writer. 
With this hope I finish my task. 

THE END. 



